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Psalm 119 Part 1 of 4 TLB


Psalm 119:1-48 Happy are all who perfectly follow the laws of God.

Happy are all who search for God and always do his will,

rejecting compromise with evil and walking only in his paths.

You have given us your laws to obey--

on, how I want to follow them consistently.

Then I will not be disgraced, for I will have a clean record.

After you have corrected me,* I will thank you by living as I  should!

I will obey! Oh, don't forsake me and let me slip back into sin again.*

How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules.

I have tried my best to find you--don't let me wander off from your instructions.

I  have thought much about your works and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.

Blessed Lord, teach me your rules.

I have recited your laws

and  rejoiced in them more than in riches.

I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect.

I will delight in them and not forget them.

Bless me with life so that I can continue to obey you.

Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.

I am but a pilgrim here on earth; how I need a map--and your commands are my chart and guide.

I long for your instructions more than I can tell.

You rebuke those cursed proud ones who refuse your commands--

don't let them scorn me for obeying you.

For even princes sit and talk against me, but I will continue in your plans.

Your laws are both my light and my counselors.

I  am completely discouraged--I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word.

I told you my plans and you replied, Now give me your instructions.

Make me understand what you want; for then I shall see your miracles.

I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words.

Keep me far from every wrong; help me,

underserving as I am, to obey your laws  for I have chosen to do right.

I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can Lord, don't let me make a mess of things.

If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely.

Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord.

As long as I live wholeheartedly obey.

Make me walk along the right paths, for I know how delightful they really are.

Help me to prefer obedience to making money!

Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours.*Revive my heart toward you.

Reassure me that your promises are for me, for I trust and revere you.

How I dread being mocked for obeying, your laws are right and good,

I long to obey them! Therefore in fairness renew my life,

for this was you promise--yes, Lord,

to save me! Now spare me by your kindness and your love, Then I will have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust your promises.

May I never forget your words, for they are my only hope.

Therefore I will keep on obeying you forever and forever,

free within the limits of  your laws.

I will speak to kings about their value, and they will listen with interests and respect.

How I love your laws! How I enjoy your commands!

"Come, come to me," I call to them, for I love them and will let them fill my life.

2 Chronicles 15:10-15 They all came to Jerusalem in June of the fifteenth year of King Asa's reign

and sacrificed to the Lord seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep--it was part of the plunder they had captured in the battle.

Then they entered into a contract to worship only the Lord God of their fathers

and agreed that anyone who refused to do this must die--whether old or young, man or woman.

They shouted out their oath of loyalty to God with trumpets blaring and horns sounding.

All were happy for this covenant with God, for they had entered into it with all their hearts and wills and wanted him above everything else, and they found him! And he gave them peace throughout the nation.

Deuteronomy 12:12-13 You shall rejoice there before the Lord with your sons and daughters and servants; and remember to invite the Levites to feast with you, for they have no land of their own.

"You are not to sacrifice your burnt offerings just anywhere;

Micah 6:6-8 How can we make up to your for what we've done?" you ask. "Shall we bow before the Lord with offerings of yearling calves?" Oh no!

For if you offered him thousands of rams and ten thousands of river of olive oil--would that please him? Would he be satisfied? If you sacrificed your oldest child, would that make him glad? Then would he forgive your sins? Of course not!

No, he has told you what he wants, and this is all it is: to be fair, just, merciful, and to walk humbly with your God.