Standing Firm in Trust Through the Word

א Happy are those whose way is blameless,who follow GOD’s teaching. Happy are those who observe God’s decrees,who turn to the divine wholeheartedly. They have done no wrong,but have followed God’s ways. You have commanded that Your preceptsbe kept diligently. Would that my ways were firmin keeping Your laws; then I would not be ashamedwhen I regard all Your commandments. I will praise You with a sincere heartas I learn Your just rules. I will keep Your laws;do not utterly forsake me. ב How can youths keep their way pure?—by holding to Your word. I have turned to You with all my heart;do not let me stray from Your commandments. In my heart I treasure Your promise;therefore I do not sin against You. Blessed are You, O ETERNAL One;train me in Your laws. With my lips I rehearseall the rules You proclaimed. I rejoice over the way of Your decreesas over all riches. I study Your precepts;I regard Your ways; I take delight in Your laws;I will not neglect Your word. ג Deal kindly with Your servant,that I may live to keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may perceivethe wonders of Your teaching. I am only a sojourner in the land;do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul is consumed with longingfor Your rules at all times. You blast the accursed insolent oneswho stray from Your commandments. Take away from me taunt and abuse,because I observe Your decrees. Though princes meet and speak against me,Your servant studies Your laws. For Your decrees are my delight,my intimate companions. ד My soul clings to the dust;revive me in accordance with Your word. I have declared my way, and You have answered me;train me in Your laws. Make me understand the way of Your precepts,that I may study Your wondrous acts. I am racked with grief;sustain me in accordance with Your word. Remove all false ways from me;favor me with Your teaching. I have chosen the way of faithfulness;I have set Your rules before me. I cling to Your decrees;O ETERNAL One, do not put me to shame. I eagerly pursue Your commandments,for You broaden my understanding. ה Teach me, O ETERNAL One, the way of Your laws;I will observe them to the utmost. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your teachingand keep it wholeheartedly. Lead me in the path of Your commandments,for that is my concern. Turn my heart to Your decreesand not to love of gain. Avert my eyes from seeing falsehood;by Your ways preserve me. Fulfill Your promise to Your servant,which is for those who worship You. Remove the taunt that I dread,for Your rules are good. See, I have longed for Your precepts;by Your righteousness preserve me. ו May Your steadfast love reach me, O ETERNAL One,Your deliverance, as You have promised. I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,for I have put my trust in Your word. Do not utterly take the truth away from my mouth,for I have put my hope in Your rules. I will always obey Your teaching,forever and ever. I will walk about at ease,for I have turned to Your precepts. I will speak of Your decrees,and not be ashamed in the presence of kings. I will delight in Your commandments,which I love. I reach out for Your commandments, which I love;I study Your laws. ז Remember Your word to Your servantthrough which You have given me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction,that Your promise has preserved me. Though the arrogant have cruelly mocked me,I have not swerved from Your teaching. I remember Your rules of old, O ETERNAL One,and find comfort in them. I am seized with ragebecause of the wicked who forsake Your teaching. Your laws are a source of strength to me wherever I may dwell. I remember Your name at night, O ETERNAL One,and obey Your teaching. This has been my lot,for I have observed Your precepts. ח GOD is my portion;I have resolved to keep Your words. I have implored You with all my heart;have mercy on me, in accordance with Your promise. I have considered my ways,and have turned back to Your decrees. I have hurried and not delayedto keep Your commandments. Though the bonds of the wicked are coiled round me,I have not neglected Your teaching. I arise at midnight to praise Youfor Your just rules. I am a companion to all who fear You,to those who keep Your precepts. Your steadfast love, O ETERNAL One, fills the earth;teach me Your laws. ט You have treated Your servant well,according to Your word, O ETERNAL One. Teach me good sense and knowledge,for I have put my trust in Your commandments. Before I was humbled I went astray,but now I keep Your word. You are good and beneficent;teach me Your laws. Though the arrogant have accused me falsely,I observe Your precepts wholeheartedly. Their minds are thick like fat;as for me, Your teaching is my delight. It was good for me that I was humbled,so that I might learn Your laws. I prefer the teaching You proclaimedto thousands of gold and silver pieces. י Your hands made me and fashioned me;give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice,for I have put my hope in Yo

The opening stanza of Psalm 119 (Aleph) introduces the psalmist's longing to walk blamelessly, treasure God's promise in the heart, and cling to His decrees. Faith is here expressed not as mere belief, but as a wholehearted orientation toward God's revealed truth.