Psalm 119; Romans 7

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Psalm 119

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

1 Blessed are those whose kway is blameless,

who lwalk in the law of the Lord!

Blessed are those who mkeep his ntestimonies,

who oseek him with their whole heart,

who also pdo no wrong,

but walk in his ways!

You have commanded your qprecepts

to be kept diligently.

Oh that my ways may rbe steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

sThen I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn tyour righteous rules.2

I will keep your statutes;

udo not utterly forsake me!

Beth

How can va young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

10  wWith my whole heart I seek you;

let me not xwander from your commandments!

11  I have ystored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

12  Blessed are you, O Lord;

zteach me your statutes!

13  With my lips I adeclare

all the rules3 of your mouth.

14  In the way of your testimonies I bdelight

as much as in all criches.

15  I will dmeditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your eways.

16  I will fdelight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

Gimel

17  gDeal bountifully with your servant,

hthat I may live and keep your word.

18  Open my eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law.

19  I am ia sojourner on the earth;

jhide not your commandments from me!

20  My soul is consumed with klonging

for your rules4 at all times.

21  You rebuke lthe insolent, maccursed ones,

who nwander from your commandments.

22  Take away from me oscorn and contempt,

pfor I have kept your testimonies.

23  Even though qprinces sit plotting against me,

your servant will rmeditate on your statutes.

24  Your testimonies are my sdelight;

they are my tcounselors.

Daleth

25  uMy soul clings to the dust;

vgive me life waccording to your word!

26  When xI told of my ways, you answered me;

yteach me your statutes!

27  zMake me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will ameditate on your wondrous works.

28  bMy soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word!

29  Put false ways far from me

and graciously cteach me your law!

30  I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I dset your rules before me.

31  I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

elet me not be put to shame!

32  I will run in the way of your commandments

when you fenlarge my heart!5

He

33  gTeach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it hto the end.6

34  iGive me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

35  jLead me in the path of your commandments,

for I kdelight in it.

36  lIncline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to mselfish gain!

37  nTurn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and ogive me life in your ways.

38  pConfirm to your servant your promise,

qthat you may be feared.

39  Turn away the rreproach that I dread,

for your rules are good.

40  Behold, I slong for your precepts;

tin your righteousness give me life!

Waw

41  Let your usteadfast love come to me, O Lord,

your salvation vaccording to your promise;

42  then wshall I have an answer for him rwho taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my xhope is in your rules.

44  I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

45  and I shall walk yin a wide place,

for I have zsought your precepts.

46  I will also speak of your testimonies abefore kings

and shall not be put to shame,

47  for I bfind my delight in your commandments,

which I love.

48  I will clift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will dmeditate on your statutes.

Zayin

49  Remember eyour word to your servant,

in which you have made me fhope.

50  This is gmy comfort in my affliction,

that your promise hgives me life.

51  iThe insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not jturn away from your law.

52  When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O Lord.

53  kHot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law.

54  Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my lsojourning.

55  I mremember your name in the night, O Lord,

and keep your law.

56  This blessing has fallen to me,

that nI have kept your precepts.

Heth

57  oThe Lord is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

58  I pentreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me qaccording to your promise.

59  When I rthink on my ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies;

60  I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

61  Though sthe cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not tforget your law.

62  At umidnight I rise to praise you,

because of your vrighteous rules.

63  wI am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts.

64  xThe earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;

yteach me your statutes!

Teth

65  You have dealt well with your servant,

O Lord, zaccording to your word.

66  Teach me agood judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

67  bBefore I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

68  cYou are good and do good;

dteach me your statutes.

69  eThe insolent fsmear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I gkeep your precepts;

70  their heart is unfeeling hlike fat,

but I idelight in your law.

71  It is jgood for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes.

72  kThe law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

73  lYour hands have made and fashioned me;

mgive me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

74  Those who fear you shall see me and nrejoice,

because I have ohoped in your word.

75  I know, O Lord, that your rules are prighteous,

and that in qfaithfulness you have afflicted me.

76  Let your steadfast love comfort me

according to your promise to your servant.

77  Let your rmercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my sdelight.

78  Let tthe insolent be put to ushame,

because they have vwronged me with falsehood;

as for me, I will wmeditate on your precepts.

79  Let those who fear you xturn to me,

that they may know your testimonies.

80  May my heart be yblameless in your statutes,

zthat I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

81  My soul alongs for your salvation;

I bhope in your word.

82  My ceyes long for your promise;

I ask, dWhen will you comfort me?

83  For I have ebecome like a fwineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84  gHow long must your servant endure?7

hWhen will you judge those who persecute me?

85  iThe insolent have jdug pitfalls for me;

they do not live according to your law.

86  All your commandments are ksure;

they persecute me lwith falsehood; mhelp me!

87  They have almost made an end of me on earth,

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88  In your steadfast love ngive me life,

that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

89  Forever, O Lord, your oword

is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90  Your pfaithfulness endures to all generations;

you have qestablished the earth, and it rstands fast.

91  By your sappointment they stand this day,

for all things are your servants.

92  If your law had not been my tdelight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

93  I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have ugiven me life.

94  I am yours; save me,

vfor I have sought your precepts.

95  The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your testimonies.

96  I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly wbroad.

Mem

97  Oh how xI love your law!

It is my ymeditation all the day.

98  Your commandment makes me zwiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

99  I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for ayour testimonies are my meditation.

100  I understand more than bthe aged,8

for I ckeep your precepts.

101  I dhold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

102  I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me.

103  How esweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104  Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore fI hate every false way.

Nun

105  gYour word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

106  I have hsworn an oath and confirmed it,

to keep your irighteous rules.

107  I am severely jafflicted;

kgive me life, O Lord, according to your word!

108  Accept lmy freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,

and mteach me your rules.

109  I hold my life nin my hand continually,

but I do not oforget your law.

110  The wicked have laid pa snare for me,

but qI do not stray from your precepts.

111  Your testimonies are rmy heritage forever,

for they are sthe joy of my heart.

112  I tincline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, uto the end.9

Samekh

113  I hate vthe double-minded,

but I love wyour law.

114  You are my xhiding place and my yshield;

I zhope in your word.

115  aDepart from me, you evildoers,

that I may bkeep the commandments of my God.

116  Uphold me caccording to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be dput to shame in my ehope!

117  fHold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually!

118  You gspurn all who hgo astray from your statutes,

for their cunning is in vain.

119  All the wicked of the earth you discard like idross,

therefore jI love your testimonies.

120  My flesh ktrembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

121  I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

122  Give your servant la pledge of good;

let not mthe insolent oppress me.

123  My neyes long for your salvation

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

124  Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and oteach me your statutes.

125  I am your pservant; qgive me understanding,

that I may know your testimonies!

126  It is time for the Lord to act,

for your law has been broken.

127  Therefore I rlove your commandments

above gold, above fine gold.

128  Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;

I hate every sfalse way.

Pe

129  Your testimonies are twonderful;

therefore my soul ukeeps them.

130  The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts vunderstanding to the simple.

131  I wopen my mouth and xpant,

because I ylong for your commandments.

132  zTurn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your way with those who love your name.

133  aKeep steady my steps according to your promise,

and let no iniquity bget dominion over me.

134  cRedeem me from man’s oppression,

that I may keep your precepts.

135  dMake your face shine upon your servant,

and eteach me your statutes.

136  My eyes fshed streams of tears,

because people gdo not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137  hRighteous are you, O Lord,

and right are your rules.

138  You have appointed your testimonies in irighteousness

and in all jfaithfulness.

139  My kzeal consumes me,

because my foes forget your words.

140  Your promise is well ltried,

and your servant mloves it.

141  I am small and despised,

yet I do not nforget your precepts.

142  Your righteousness is righteous forever,

and your law is otrue.

143  Trouble and anguish have found me out,

but your commandments are my pdelight.

144  Your testimonies are righteous forever;

qgive me understanding that I may rlive.

Qoph

145  With my swhole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!

I will tkeep your statutes.

146  I call to you; save me,

that I may observe your testimonies.

147  I rise before udawn and cry for help;

I vhope in your words.

148  My eyes are awake before wthe watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

149  Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O Lord, xaccording to your justice ygive me life.

150  They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from your law.

151  But zyou are near, O Lord,

and all your commandments are atrue.

152  Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have bfounded them forever.

Resh

153  Look on my caffliction and deliver me,

for dI do not forget your law.

154  ePlead my cause and redeem me;

fgive me life according to your promise!

155  gSalvation is far from the wicked,

hfor they do not seek your statutes.

156  iGreat is your mercy, O Lord;

fgive me life according to your rules.

157  jMany are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not kswerve from your testimonies.

158  I look at lthe faithless with mdisgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

159  Consider how I nlove your precepts!

fGive me life according to your steadfast love.

160  oThe sum of your word is ptruth,

and every one of your qrighteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

161  rPrinces persecute me swithout cause,

but my heart tstands in awe of your words.

162  I trejoice at your word

like one who ufinds great spoil.

163  I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love vyour law.

164  Seven times a day I praise you

for your qrighteous rules.

165  Great wpeace have those who love your law;

xnothing can make them stumble.

166  I yhope for your salvation, O Lord,

and I do your commandments.

167  My soul keeps your testimonies;

I vlove them exceedingly.

168  I keep your precepts and testimonies,

zfor all my ways are before you.

Taw

169  Let my acry come before you, O Lord;

bgive me understanding caccording to your word!

170  Let my plea come before you;

ddeliver me according to your word.

171  My lips will epour forth praise,

for you fteach me your statutes.

172  My tongue will sing of your word,

for gall your commandments are right.

173  Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have hchosen your precepts.

174  I ilong for your salvation, O Lord,

and your law is my jdelight.

175  Let my soul live and praise you,

and let your rules help me.

176  I have kgone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

for I do not lforget your commandments.


Romans 7

Released from the Law

Or do you not know, brothers1for I am speaking to those who know the lawthat the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For ea married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.2 Accordingly, fshe will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.

Likewise, my brothers, gyou also have died hto the law ithrough the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, jin order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work kin our members lto bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the mnew way of nthe Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.3

The Law and Sin

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, oI would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if pthe law had not said, You shall not covet. But sin, qseizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. rFor apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment sthat promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, tseizing an opportunity through the commandment, udeceived me and through it killed me. 12 So vthe law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, wsold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For xI do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with ythe law, that it is good. 17 So now zit is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells ain me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 bFor I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, cit is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For dI delight in the law of God, ein my inner being, 23 but I see in my members fanother law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from gthis body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.