Psalm 119 Project

This project was put by the wayside when I learned in seminary that Hebrew poetry is different than western poetry.  I now have both a plethora of material about Hebrew poetry, as well as a professor who adores it as much as I do and is willing to let me read his work.  Meter matters, but more importantly, parallelism matters even more.  Therefore, I will be reviewing what I’ve done, looking at the original and ensuring that I haven’t messed that part up before continuing.  Additionally, I think I should probably work on a transliteration of this Psalm, because both Hebrew and English are rather limited languages, but I want to see if the Hebrew is quite as repetitive as the English ends up being.  Besides, it’s been a while since I’ve worked on my Hebrew pronunciation, so that’ll be good practice for me.

A

A happy man is upright in the way, and walks in the law of the Lord,
And he is happy who keeps His testimonies, and seeks him with a whole heart.
Although he does no unrighteousness, he walks in His ways.
As Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, we should observe them diligently:
All my ways should be directed to observe Thy statutes.
Attaint should not be my lot, when I have regarded unto all Thy commandments.
Acts of thanks will I give to Thee with an honest heart, when I learn Thy righteous ordinances.
Attentively will I observe Thy statutes; oh forsake me not utterly.

B

By these means shall a young man keep his way pure; by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.
Behold my whole heart, with which I have sought Thee, Oh let me not err from thy commandments.
Burned onto my heart is Thy word, that I might not sin against Thee.
Blessed art Thou oh Lord; teach me thy statutes.
Brimming from my lips are all the ordinances of Thy mouth.
Being glad in the way of Thy testimonies, I have rejoiced as much as in all riches.
By meditating in Thy precepts, I have respect unto Thy ways.
Being filled with joy in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.

C

Compromise bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and I will observe Thy word.
Clear Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.
Cloak not Thy commandments from me; for I am a soujourner in the earth.
Craving Thine ordinances at all times, my soul breaketh.
Cursed are the proud that Thou hast rebuked, that do err from Thy commandments.
Cast away from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies.
Contemplating in Thy statutes, Thy servant I remain, even though princes sit and talk against me.
Content with Thy testimonies, yea, they are my counselors.

D

Dust is all my soul cleaveth to; quicken Thou me according to Thy word.
Describing my ways, Thou didst answer me; teach me Thy statutes.
Drive me to understand the way of Thy precepts, that I may talk of Thy wondrous works.
Defend me according to Thy word; my soul melteth away for heaviness.
Dismiss from me the way of falsehood; and grant me Thy law graciously.
Determining my way of faithfulness; Thine ordinances have I set [before me].
Devoted unto Thy testimonies; oh Lord, put me not to shame.
Dedicated am I to the way of Thy commandments, for Thou doest enlarge my heart.

E

Educate me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes; and I will keep it at every step.
Entrust me with understanding, that I keep Thy law and observe it with my whole heart.
Establish me in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Engender my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Excite me in Thy ways and turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity.
Explain Thy word unto Thy servant, which pertaineth unto the fear of Thee.
Endure not my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good.
Expressing joy, I have longed after Thy precepts; quicken me in Thy righteousness.

F

Fain mercies also come unto me O LORD, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word.
For I trust in thy Word; that I might have an answer for him that taunteth me;
Fail not the word of truth from my mouth; for I hope in Thine ordinances;
Forever and ever shall I observe Thy law continually;
For I have sought Thy precepts; and I will walk at ease;
Facts of Thine will I also speak, and will not be ashamed.
Felicity for myself will I have in Thy commandments, which I have loved.
Favored hands will also lift Thy commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate in Thy statutes.

G

Go back to the word unto Thy servant, because Thou hast made me to hope.
Gratified am I in this in my affliction, that Thy word hath quickened me.
Greatly have the proud had me in derision; yet I have not turned aside from Thy law.
Glad is my heart, for I have remembered Thine ordinances which are of old, O Lord.
Glowing indignation hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law.
Gleeful music have been Thy statutes in the house of my pilgrimage.
Gloomy nights I have remembered Thy name O Lord, and have observed Thy law.
Guarding Thy precepts, this is what I have had.

H

Honoring Thy words, I have said, my portion is the Lord.
Heart unbroken, I have entreated Thy favor; be gracious unto me according to Thy word.
Holding my ways, I turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
Hastening, , and delaying not, I observe Thy commandments.
Harnesses of the wicked have enclosed me; but I have not forgotten Thy law.
Hushed in the night, I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous ordinances.
Helper of all them that fear Thee, I am a companion of them that observe Thy precepts.
Heavy with Thy mercy is the Earth; teach me Thy statutes.

I

Irreproachably hast Thou dealt with Thy servant, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
Impart to me good discernment and knowledge; for I have believed in Thy commandments.
I did err before I was afflicted; but now I observe Thy word.
Inhabiting good, and Thou doest good; teach me Thy statutes.
Imperious ones have forged a lie against me; but I with my whole heart will keep Thy precepts.
Inclined is their heart, gross like fat; but I delight in Thy law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, in order that I might learn Thy statutes.
Instruction from Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

J

Just hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.
Joy to those that fear Thee in seeing me, because I have hope in Thy word.
Judgments of Thine are righteous, I know, O LORD, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.
Justify, I pray Thee, that Thy lovingkindness be ready to comfort me, according to Thy promise unto Thy servant.
Join Thy tender mercies unto me, that I may live; for Thy law is my delight.
Jaundiced and proud be put to shame, for they have distorted my cause with falsehood; but I will meditate in Thy precepts.
Justified by those that fear Thee and return unto me, and they that know Thy testimonies.
Joyful shall my undivided heart be in Thy statutes, in order that I may not be put to shame.

[Not enough appropriate K words to be able to do a stanza with K.]

L

Languishing soul pineth for Thy salvation; in Thy word do I hope.
Lost in Thy word, mine eyes fail, saying: ‘When wilt Thou comfort me?’
Left to become like a wine-skin in the smoke; yet do I not forget Thy statutes.
Life passes for Thy servant; when wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
Lofty and proud have dug pits for me, which is not according to Thy law.
Loving all Thy commandments; they persecute me for nought; help Thou me.
Laid waste was I upon earth; but as for me, I forsook not Thy precepts.
Liven me up after Thy lovingkindness, and I will observe the testimony of Thy mouth.

M

My LORD, Forever does thy word standeth fast in heaven.
Multiplied in all generations is Thy faithfulness; Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.
Mandated in Thy ordinances, they stand this day; for all things are Thy servants.
Missing Thy law, which had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
Memorizing Thy precepts is my delight, for with them Thou hast quickened me.
Maintain me as Thine, and save me; for I have sought Thy precepts.
Morally corrupt, they have waited to destroy me; but I will consider Thy testimonies.
Marking an end to every purpose; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.

[Continue with Mem]