Comfort from the Word – Day 31

₁LORD, I have come to you for protection;

never let me be defeated!

₂Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.

Listen to me and save me!

₃Be my secure shelter

and a strong fortress to protect me;

you are my refuge and defence.

₁LORD, you have examined me and you know me.

₂You know everything I do;

from far away you understand all my thoughts.

₃You see me, whether I am working or resting;

you know all my actions.

₄Even before I speak,

you already know what I will say.

₅You are all round me on every side;

you protect me with your power.

₅In my distress I called to the LORD;

he answered me and set me free.

₆The LORD is with me, I will not be afraid;

what can anyone do to me?

₇It is the LORD who helps me,

and I will see my enemies defeated.

₈It is better to trust in the LORD

than to depend on human beings.

₉It is better to trust in the LORD

than to depend on human leaders.

₁Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful,

because I come to you for safety.

In the shadow of your wings I find protection

until the raging storms are over.

₂I call to God, the Most High,

to God, who supplies my every need.

₃He will answer from heaven and save me;

he will defeat my oppressors.

God will show me his constant love and faithfulness.

₇I have complete confidence, O God;

I will sing and praise you!

₁God is our shelter and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

₂So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken

and mountains fall into the ocean depths;

₃even if the seas roar and rage,

and the hills are shaken by the violence.

₁₀“Stop fighting,” he says, “and know that I am God,

supreme among the nations,

supreme over the world.”

₁₁The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge.

₁LORD, I have given up my pride

and turned away from my arrogance.

I am not concerned with great matters

or with subjects too difficult for me.

₂Instead, I am content and at peace.

As a child lies quietly in its mother's arms,

so my heart is quiet within me.

₃Israel, trust in the LORD

now and for ever!

₁Happy are those whose lives are faultless,

who live according to the law of the LORD.

₂Happy are those who follow his commands,

who obey him with all their heart.

₃They never do wrong;

they walk in the LORD's ways.

₄LORD, you have given us your laws

and told us to obey them faithfully.

₅How I hope that I shall be faithful

in keeping your instructions!

₆If I pay attention to all your commands,

then I will not be put to shame.

₇As I learn your righteous judgements,

I will praise you with a pure heart.

₈I will obey your laws;

never abandon me!

₉How can young people keep their lives pure?

By obeying your commands.

₁₀With all my heart I try to serve you;

keep me from disobeying your commandments.

₁₁I keep your law in my heart,

so that I will not sin against you.

₁₂I praise you, O LORD;

teach me your ways.

₁₃I will repeat aloud

all the laws you have given.

₁₄I delight in following your commands

more than in having great wealth.

₁₅I study your instructions;

I examine your teachings.

₁₆I take pleasure in your laws;

your commands I will not forget.

₁₇Be good to me, your servant,

so that I may live and obey your teachings.

₁₈Open my eyes, so that I may see

the wonderful truths in your law.

₁₉I am here on earth for just a little while;

do not hide your commands from me.

₂₀My heart aches with longing;

I want to know your judgements at all times.

₂₁You reprimand the proud;

cursed are those who disobey your commands.

₂₂Free me from their insults and scorn,

because I have kept your laws.

₂₃The rulers meet and plot against me,

but I will study your teachings.

₂₄Your instructions give me pleasure;

they are my advisers.

₂₅I lie defeated in the dust;

revive me, as you have promised.

₂₆I confessed all I have done, and you answered me;

teach me your ways.

₂₇Help me to understand your laws,

and I will meditate on your wonderful teachings.

₂₈I am overcome by sorrow;

strengthen me, as you have promised.

₂₉Keep me from going the wrong way,

and in your goodness teach me your law.

₃₀I have chosen to be obedient;

I have paid attention to your judgements.

₃₁I have followed your instructions, LORD;

don't let me be put to shame.

₃₂I will eagerly obey your commands,

because you will give me more understanding.

₃₃Teach me, LORD, the meaning of your laws,

and I will obey them at all times.

₃₄Explain your law to me, and I will obey it;

I will keep it with all my heart.

₃₅Keep me obedient to your commandments,

because in them I find happiness.

₃₆Give me the desire to obey your laws

rather than to get rich.

₃₇Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless;

be good to me, as you have promised.

₃₈Keep your promise to me, your servant —

the promise you make to those who obey you.

₃₉Save me from the insults I fear;

how wonderful are your judgements!

₄₀I want to obey your commands;

give me new life, for you are righteous.

₄₁Show me how much you love me, LORD,

and save me according to your promise.

₄₂Then I can answer those who insult me

because I trust in your word.

₄₃Enable me to speak the truth at all times,

because my hope is in your judgements.

₄₄I will always obey your law,

for ever and ever.

₄₅I will live in perfect freedom,

because I try to obey your teachings.

₄₆I will announce your commands to kings

and I will not be ashamed.

₄₇I find pleasure in obeying your commands,

because I love them.

₄₈I respect and love your commandments;

I will meditate on your instructions.

₄₉Remember your promise to me, your servant;

it has given me hope.

₅₀Even in my suffering I was comforted

because your promise gave me life.

₅₁The proud are always scornful of me,

but I have not departed from your law.

₅₂I remember your judgements of long ago,

and they bring me comfort, O LORD.

₅₃When I see the wicked breaking your law,

I am filled with anger.

₅₄During my brief earthly life

I compose songs about your commands.

₅₅In the night I remember you, LORD,

and I think about your law.

₅₆I find my happiness

in obeying your commands.

₅₇You are all I want, O LORD;

I promise to obey your laws.

₅₈I ask you with all my heart

to have mercy on me, as you have promised!

₅₉I have considered my conduct,

and I promise to follow your instructions.

₆₀Without delay I hurry

to obey your commands.

₆₁The wicked have laid a trap for me,

but I do not forget your law.

₆₂In the middle of the night I wake up

to praise you for your righteous judgements.

₆₃I am a friend of all who serve you,

of all who obey your laws.

₆₄LORD, the earth is full of your constant love;

teach me your commandments.

₆₅You have kept your promise, LORD,

and you are good to me, your servant.

₆₆Give me wisdom and knowledge,

because I trust in your commands.

₆₇Before you punished me, I used to go wrong,

but now I obey your word.

₆₈How good you are — how kind!

Teach me your commands.

₆₉The proud have told lies about me,

but with all my heart I obey your instructions.

₇₀They have no understanding,

but I find pleasure in your law.

₇₁My punishment was good for me,

because it made me learn your commands.

₇₂The law that you gave means more to me

than all the money in the world.

₇₃You created me, and you keep me safe;

give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws.

₇₄Those who honour you will be glad when they see me,

because I trust in your promise.

₇₅I know that your judgements are righteous, LORD,

and that you punished me because you are faithful.

₇₆Let your constant love comfort me,

as you have promised me, your servant.

₇₇Have mercy on me, and I will live

because I take pleasure in your law.

₇₈May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me;

as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.

₇₉May those who honour you come to me —

all those who know your commands.

₈₀May I perfectly obey your commandments

and be spared the shame of defeat.

₈₁I am worn out, LORD, waiting for you to save me;

I place my trust in your word.

₈₂My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised,

while I ask, “When will you help me?”

₈₃I am as useless as a discarded wineskin;

yet I have not forgotten your commands.

₈₄How much longer must I wait?

When will you punish those who persecute me?

₈₅The proud, who do not obey your law,

have dug pits to trap me.

₈₆Your commandments are all trustworthy;

people persecute me with lies — help me!

₈₇They have almost succeeded in killing me,

but I have not neglected your commands.

₈₈Because of your constant love be good to me,

so that I may obey your laws.

₈₉Your word, O LORD, will last for ever;

it is eternal in heaven.

₉₀Your faithfulness endures through all the ages;

you have set the earth in place, and it remains.

₉₁All things remain to this day because of your command,

because they are all your servants.

₉₂If your law had not been the source of my joy,

I would have died from my sufferings.

₉₃I will never neglect your instructions,

because by them you have kept me alive.

₉₄I am yours — save me!

I have tried to obey your commands.

₉₅The wicked are waiting to kill me,

but I will meditate on your laws.

₉₆I have learnt that everything has limits;

but your commandment is perfect.

₉₇How I love your law!

I think about it all day long.

₉₈Your commandment is with me all the time

and makes me wiser than my enemies.

₉₉I understand more than all my teachers,

because I meditate on your instructions.

₁₀₀I have greater wisdom than those who are old,

because I obey your commands.

₁₀₁I have avoided all evil conduct,

because I want to obey your word.

₁₀₂I have not neglected your instructions,

for you yourself are my teacher.

₁₀₃How sweet is the taste of your instructions —

sweeter even than honey!

₁₀₄I gain wisdom from your laws,

and so I hate all bad conduct.

₁₀₅Your word is a lamp to guide me

and a light for my path.

₁₀₆I will keep my solemn promise

to obey your just instructions.

₁₀₇My sufferings, LORD, are terrible indeed;

keep me alive, as you have promised.

₁₀₈Accept my prayer of thanks, O LORD,

and teach me your commands.

₁₀₉I am always ready to risk my life;

I have not forgotten your law.

₁₁₀The wicked lay a trap for me,

but I have not disobeyed your commands.

₁₁₁Your commandments are my eternal possession;

they are the joy of my heart.

₁₁₂I have decided to obey your laws

until the day I die.

₁₁₃I hate those who are not completely loyal to you,

but I love your law.

₁₁₄You are my defender and protector;

I put my hope in your promise.

₁₁₅Go away from me, you sinful people.

I will obey the commands of my God.

₁₁₆Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live;

don't let me be disappointed in my hope!

₁₁₇Hold me, and I will be safe,

and I will always pay attention to your commands.

₁₁₈You reject everyone who disobeys your laws;

their deceitful schemes are useless.

₁₁₉You treat all the wicked like rubbish,

and so I love your instructions.

₁₂₀Because of you I am afraid;

I am filled with fear because of your judgements.

₁₂₁I have done what is right and good;

don't abandon me to my enemies!

₁₂₂Promise that you will help your servant;

don't let the arrogant oppress me!

₁₂₃My eyes are tired from watching for your saving help,

for the deliverance you promised.

₁₂₄Treat me according to your constant love,

and teach me your commands.

₁₂₅I am your servant; give me understanding,

so that I may know your teachings.

₁₂₆LORD, it is time for you to act,

because people are disobeying your law.

₁₂₇I love your commands more than gold,

more than the finest gold.

₁₂₈And so I follow all your instructions;

I hate all wrong ways.

₁₂₉Your teachings are wonderful;

I obey them with all my heart.

₁₃₀The explanation of your teachings gives light

and brings wisdom to the ignorant.

₁₃₁In my desire for your commands

I pant with open mouth.

₁₃₂Turn to me and have mercy on me

as you do on all those who love you.

₁₃₃As you have promised, keep me from falling;

don't let me be overcome by evil.

₁₃₄Save me from those who oppress me,

so that I may obey your commands.

₁₃₅Bless me with your presence

and teach me your laws.

₁₃₆My tears pour down like a river,

because people do not obey your law.

₁₃₇You are righteous, LORD,

and your laws are just.

₁₃₈The rules that you have given

are completely fair and right.

₁₃₉My anger burns in me like a fire,

because my enemies disregard your commands.

₁₄₀How certain your promise is!

How I love it!

₁₄₁I am unimportant and despised,

but I do not neglect your teachings.

₁₄₂Your righteousness will last for ever,

and your law is always true.

₁₄₃I am filled with trouble and anxiety,

but your commandments bring me joy.

₁₄₄Your instructions are always just;

give me understanding, and I shall live.

₁₄₅With all my heart I call to you;

answer me, LORD, and I will obey your commands!

₁₄₆I call to you;

save me, and I will keep your laws.

₁₄₇Before sunrise I call to you for help;

I place my hope in your promise.

₁₄₈All night long I lie awake,

to meditate on your instructions.

₁₄₉Because your love is constant, hear me, O LORD;

show your mercy, and preserve my life!

₁₅₀My cruel persecutors are coming closer,

people who never keep your law.

₁₅₁But you are near to me, LORD,

and all your commands are permanent.

₁₅₂Long ago I learnt about your instructions;

you made them to last for ever.

₁₅₃Look at my suffering, and save me,

because I have not neglected your law.

₁₅₄Defend my cause, and set me free;

save me, as you have promised.

₁₅₅The wicked will not be saved,

for they do not obey your laws.

₁₅₆But your compassion, LORD, is great;

show your mercy and save me!

₁₅₇I have many enemies and oppressors,

but I do not fail to obey your laws.

₁₅₈When I look at those traitors, I am filled with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

₁₅₉See how I love your instructions, LORD.

Your love never changes, so save me!

₁₆₀The heart of your law is truth,

and all your righteous judgements are eternal.

₁₆₁Powerful people attack me unjustly,

but I respect your law.

₁₆₂How happy I am because of your promises —

as happy as someone who finds rich treasure.

₁₆₃I hate and detest all lies,

but I love your law.

₁₆₄Seven times each day I thank you

for your righteous judgements.

₁₆₅Those who love your law have perfect security,

and there is nothing that can make them fall.

₁₆₆I wait for you to save me, LORD,

and I do what you command.

₁₆₇I obey your teachings;

I love them with all my heart.

₁₆₈I obey your commands and your instructions;

you see everything I do.

₁₆₉Let my cry for help reach you, LORD!

Give me understanding, as you have promised.

₁₇₀Listen to my prayer,

and save me according to your promise!

₁₇₁I will always praise you,

because you teach me your laws.

₁₇₂I will sing about your law,

because your commands are just.

₁₇₃Always be ready to help me,

because I follow your commands.

₁₇₄How I long for your saving help, O LORD!

I find happiness in your law.

₁₇₅Give me life, so that I may praise you;

may your instructions help me.

₁₇₆I wander about like a lost sheep;

so come and look for me, your servant,

because I have not neglected your laws.

₁When the people of Israel left Egypt,

when Jacob's descendants left that foreign land,

₂Judah became the Lord's holy people,

Israel became his own possession.

₃The Red Sea looked and ran away;

the River Jordan stopped flowing.

₄The mountains skipped like goats;

the hills jumped about like lambs.

₅What happened, Sea, to make you run away?

And you, O Jordan, why did you stop flowing?

₆You mountains, why did you skip like goats?

You hills, why did you jump about like lambs?

₇Tremble, earth, at the Lord's coming,

at the presence of the God of Jacob,

₈who changes rocks into pools of water

and solid cliffs into flowing springs.

₁I will always thank the LORD;

I will never stop praising him.

₂I will praise him for what he has done;

may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!

₃Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness;

let us praise his name together!

₄I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me;

he freed me from all my fears.

₅The oppressed look to him and are glad;

they will never be disappointed.

₆The helpless call to him, and he answers;

he saves them from all their troubles.

₇His angel guards those who honour the LORD

and rescues them from danger.

₈Find out for yourself how good the LORD is.

Happy are those who find safety with him.

₉Honour the LORD, all his people;

those who obey him have all they need.

₁₀Even lions go hungry for lack of food,

but those who obey the LORD lack nothing good.

₁₁Come, my young friends, and listen to me,

and I will teach you to honour the LORD.

₁₂Would you like to enjoy life?

Do you want long life and happiness?

₁₃Then hold back from speaking evil

and from telling lies.

₁₄Turn away from evil and do good;

strive for peace with all your heart.

₁₅The LORD watches over the righteous

and listens to their cries;

₁₆but he opposes those who do evil,

so that when they die, they are soon forgotten.

₁₇The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens;

he rescues them from all their troubles.

₁₈The LORD is near to those who are discouraged;

he saves those who have lost all hope.

₁₉Good people suffer many troubles,

but the LORD saves them from them all;

₂₀the LORD preserves them completely;

not one of their bones is broken.

₂₁Evil will kill the wicked;

those who hate the righteous will be punished.

₂₂The LORD will save his people;

those who go to him for protection will be spared.