Bible

 

Genesis 47

Studie

   

1 Ja Joosep läks ja teatas vaaraole ning ütles: 'Mu isa ja vennad ja nende lambad, kitsed ja veised ja kõik, mis neil oli, on tulnud Kaananimaalt, ja vaata, nad on Gooseni maakonnas.'

2 Ja ta võttis oma vendade hulgast viis meest ja tõi need vaarao ette.

3 Ja vaarao küsis tema vendadelt: 'Mis teie amet on?' Ja nad vastasid vaaraole: 'Su sulased on lambakarjased, niihästi meie ise kui meie isad.'

4 Ja nad ütlesid vaaraole: 'Me oleme maale tulnud võõrastena elama, sest su sulaste karjale ei olnud sööta, kuna Kaananimaal on kange nälg. Luba siis nüüd oma sulaseid elada Gooseni maakonnas!'

5 Ja vaarao rääkis Joosepiga, öeldes: 'Sinu isa ja vennad on su juurde tulnud.

6 Egiptusemaa on su ees lahti, pane oma isa ja vennad elama parimasse maakonda. Elagu nad Gooseni maakonnas, ja kui sa tunned nende hulgast tublisid mehi, siis pane need mu karja ülevaatajaiks!'

7 Siis Joosep tõi sisse oma isa Jaakobi ja pani seisma vaarao ette; ja Jaakob õnnistas vaaraod.

8 Ja vaarao küsis Jaakobilt: 'Kui palju sul eluaastaid on?'

9 Ja Jaakob vastas vaaraole: 'Aastaid, mis ma võõrana olen elanud, on sada kolmkümmend aastat. Piskud ja kurjad on olnud mu eluaastad ja need ei ulatu mu isade eluaastateni nende võõrsiloleku ajal.'

10 Siis Jaakob õnnistas vaaraod ja läks ära vaarao juurest.

11 Ja Joosep paigutas oma isa ja vennad elama ja andis neile maaomandi Egiptusemaal kõige paremas maakonnas, Raamsese maakonnas, nagu vaarao oli käskinud.

12 Ja Joosep hoolitses leivaga oma isa ja vendade ja kogu isa pere eest, vastavalt nende väetite laste suudele.

13 Aga kogu maal ei olnud leiba, sest näljahäda oli väga kange, ja Egiptusemaa ja Kaananimaa olid näljast nõrkemas.

14 Ja Joosep kogus kokku kõik Egiptusemaal ja Kaananimaal leiduva raha vilja eest, mida osteti; ja Joosep viis raha vaarao kotta.

15 Kui raha oli lõppenud Egiptusemaalt ja Kaananimaalt, siis tulid kõik egiptlased Joosepi juurde, öeldes: 'Anna meile leiba! Kas peame su silma ees surema, sellepärast et raha on otsas?'

16 Ja Joosep vastas: 'Andke oma loomad ja mina annan teile nende eest, kui raha on otsas.'

17 Ja nad tõid oma loomad Joosepile ja Joosep andis neile leiba hobuste, lamba- ja kitsekarjade, veisekarjade ja eeslite eest; nõnda muretses ta neile sel aastal leiba kõigi nende loomade eest.

18 Kui see aasta lõppes, siis järgmisel aastal tulid nad tema juurde ja ütlesid temale: 'Me ei saa oma isandale salata, et raha on otsas ja loomakarjad on meie isanda käes. Meil ei ole isanda ees muud üle jäänud kui ainult meie ihud ja põllumaa.

19 Kas peame su silma ees surema, niihästi me ise kui meie põllud? Osta meid ja meie põllud leiva eest, et me oma põldudega saaksime vaaraole orjadeks! Anna meile seemet, et jääksime elama ega sureks ja et põllud ei jääks tühjaks!'

20 Siis Joosep ostis vaaraole kogu Egiptuse põllumaa, sest egiptlased müüsid igaüks oma põllu, sellepärast et nälg ahistas neid. Nõnda sai maa vaarao omaks.

21 Ja ta tegi rahva tema orjaks, Egiptuse ühest äärest teiseni.

22 Ainult preestrite põldusid ta ei ostnud, sest preestritel oli sissetulek vaaraolt ja nemad elatusid sissetulekust, mida vaarao neile andis; seepärast nemad ei müünud oma põldusid.

23 Ja Joosep ütles rahvale: 'Vaata, ma olen nüüd ostnud teid ja teie põllud vaaraole. Näe, siin on teile seemet, külvake see põldudele!

24 Aga saagist peate andma viiendiku vaaraole, kuna neli osa jäägu teie kätte teile põlluseemneks, samuti toiduks teile ja neile, kes teie peredes on, ja toiduks teie väetitele lastele.'

25 Ja nad vastasid: 'Sina oled meid elus hoidnud! Kui leiame armu oma isanda silmis, siis jääme vaaraole orjadeks.'

26 Ja Joosep tegi selle seaduseks Egiptuse põllumaa kohta tänapäevani, et vaaraole saab viiendik; ainult preestrite põllud ei saanud vaarao omaks.

27 Ja Iisrael jäi elama Egiptusemaale Gooseni maakonda; nad jäid sinna paigale, olid viljakad ja neid sai väga palju.

28 Ja Jaakob elas Egiptusemaal seitseteist aastat, ja Jaakobi päevi, tema eluaastaid, oli sada nelikümmend seitse aastat.

29 Kui Iisraeli surmapäev ligines, siis ta kutsus oma poja Joosepi ning ütles temale: 'Kui ma nüüd olen su silmis armu leidnud, siis pane oma käsi mu puusa alla ja osuta mulle heldust ja truudust: ära mata mind Egiptusesse,

30 sest ma tahan magada oma vanemate juures. Vii mind Egiptusest ära ja mata nende hauda!' Ja ta vastas: 'Ma teen su sõna järgi!'

31 Ja tema ütles: 'Vannu mulle!' Ja ta vandus temale. Siis Iisrael kummardas voodi peatsi poole.

   

Ze Swedenborgových děl

 

Arcana Coelestia # 4286

Prostudujte si tuto pasáž

  
/ 10837  
  

4286. 'And he said, Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel' means the Divine celestial-spiritual at this point, for 'Israel' is the celestial-spiritual man within the natural, and so is the natural man, whereas the celestial[- spiritual] man proper - that is, the rational man - is 'Joseph'. This becomes clear from what is said below about Jacob and Israel, and also about Joseph, for one must begin here by stating what the celestial-spiritual is. At the present day within the Church the existence of the spiritual man and the natural man, or the internal man and the external, is indeed well known; but as to what the spiritual or internal man may be, this is not as yet so well known. Still less is it known what the celestial man is and the fact that this is distinct and separate from the spiritual man. And as this is not known it is impossible to know what the celestial-spiritual man is, meant here by 'Israel', and therefore a brief statement about it must be made.

[2] It is well known that there are three heavens - the inmost heaven, the middle heaven, and the ultimate heaven, or what amounts to the same, the third, second, and first heavens. The inmost or third heaven is celestial, the angels there being called celestial because they are governed by love to the Lord and as a consequence are the ones most closely linked to the Lord. And that being so they excel all other angels in wisdom. They are innocent and are for that reason called embodiments of innocence and wisdom. These angels are divided into internal and external, the internal being more celestial than the external. The middle or second heaven is spiritual, the angels there being called spiritual because they are governed by charity towards the neighbour, that is, by mutual love, the nature of which is such that one angel loves another more than himself. And because their nature is such, intelligence is present within them and for that reason they are called embodiments of intelligence. These angels too are divided into internal and external, the internal being more spiritual than the external. But the ultimate or first heaven is also celestial and spiritual, though not in the same degree as the previous ones; for the natural is closely associated with them, and so for that reason they are called celestial-natural and spiritual-natural. They too are governed by mutual love, but they do not love others more than themselves, only as themselves. What governs them is an affection for good and a knowledge of truth. They also are divided into internal and external.

[3] But what the celestial-spiritual is must also be stated briefly. The term celestial-spiritual applies to those who have been called spiritual immediately above and who are in the middle or second heaven. They are given the name celestial because of their mutual love, and spiritual because of their intelligence arising out of this. The internal members of that heaven are represented by Joseph, and also in the Word are actually called 'Joseph', whereas its external members are represented by Israel, and also in the Word are actually called 'Israel'. The former, namely the internal members who are called Joseph, partake of the rational, whereas the external members who are called Israel partake of the natural, for they are half-way between the rational and the natural. These are the reasons why it has been said that 'Israel' is the celestial-spiritual man within the natural man, and so is the natural man, and that 'Joseph' is the celestial-spiritual man proper, which is the rational man. For in the universal sense all good which flows from love and charity is called celestial, and all truth which derives from this and constitutes faith and intelligence is referred to as spiritual.

[4] These things have been stated so that people may know what is meant by 'Israel'. But by 'Israel' the Lord's Divine celestial-spiritual is meant in the highest sense, whereas the Lord's spiritual kingdom in heaven and on earth is meant in the internal sense. The Lord's spiritual kingdom on earth is the Church, which is called the spiritual Church. And as 'Israel' means the Lord's spiritual kingdom, 'Israel' also means the spiritual man, for the Lord's kingdom exists within all who are spiritual, since each is heaven and also the Church in the smallest form these can take, 4279. As for Jacob, in the highest sense he represents the Lord's natural, both His celestial-natural and His spiritual-natural, and in the internal sense the Lord's kingdom as it exists in the ultimate or first heaven, and so also the corresponding area of the Church. Good within the natural is that which is called celestial here, and truth within it that which is called spiritual. From all this one may see what 'Israel' and 'Jacob' mean in the Word, and also why Jacob received the name Israel.

[5] But these ideas that have been stated will inevitably seem obscure, the chief reason being that few people know what the spiritual man is, and scarcely any what the celestial man is, or consequently that there is any difference between the spiritual man and the celestial man. The reason why they do not know is that no clear difference is perceived between good which is the good of love and charity, and truth which is the truth of faith. And the reason why these are not perceived is that genuine charity does not exist any longer. When something is non-existent no perception of it is possible. And a further reason why they are not perceived is that people do not bother very much about the things that have to do with the life after death, and so about those to do with heaven, but much about things to do with life in the body, and so with things which belong to the world. If people did bother about the things that have to do with the life after death, and so about those which have to do with heaven, they would easily grasp all that has been mentioned above, for that which a person loves he absorbs and grasps with ease, but that which he does not love with difficulty.

[6] The fact that 'Jacob' has one meaning and 'Israel' another is quite evident from the Word, for in its historical sections, and in the prophetical ones too, Jacob is used at one point, Israel at another; and sometimes the two names occur in the same verse. From this it becomes clear that there is an internal sense to the Word, and that without that sense this matter could in no way be known. The use of Jacob at one point, Israel at another is clear from the following,

Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph was a son of seventeen years. And Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons. Genesis 37:1-3.

Here Jacob is first called 'Jacob' and immediately after that 'Israel' - Israel being used when Joseph is referred to. Elsewhere,

Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt; Jacob said to his sons . . . And the sons of Israel came to buy in the midst of others who came. Genesis 42:1, 5.

And after this,

They went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. When they told him all Joseph's words which he had spoken to them the spirit of Jacob their father revived. And Israel said, Enough; Joseph my son is still alive. Genesis 45:25, 27-28.

Then,

And Israel set out and all that he had. God spoke to Israel in visions in the night and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Behold, here I am. And Jacob rose up from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried away 1 Jacob their father. Genesis 46:1-2, 5.

And in the same chapter,

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Genesis 46:8.

Further on,

Joseph brought in Jacob his father and placed him before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob . . . and Jacob said to Pharaoh . . . Genesis 47:7-10.

And in the same chapter,

And Israel dwelt in the land of Goshen. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. And Israel's days drew near when he must die; he called his son Joseph. Genesis 47:27-29.

Yet again,

And someone reported to Jacob and said, Behold, your son Joseph has come to you, and Israel found some strength in himself and sat up on his bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, God Shaddai appeared to me in Luz. Genesis 48:2-3.

The name Israel is again used in the same chapter in verses 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20-21. And finally,

Jacob called his sons and said, Gather together, and hear, O sons of Jacob; and hearken to Israel your father. And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons . . . Genesis 49:1-2, 33.

From all these places it becomes clear that Jacob is called Jacob at one point, Israel at another, thus that Jacob has one meaning, Israel another, that is, one thing is meant when he is called Jacob, another when he is called Israel. They also make it quite clear that this arcanum can in no way be known except from the internal sense.

[7] What 'Jacob' means however, and what 'Israel', has been stated above. In general 'Jacob' in the Word means the external aspect of the Church and 'Israel' the internal, for every Church has an external aspect and it has an internal one, that is, it is internal and also external. And because that which constitutes the Church is meant by 'Jacob' and by 'Israel' and because the Church in its entirety originates in the Lord, both Jacob and Israel therefore mean the Lord in the highest sense - 'Jacob' the Lord's Divine natural, 'Israel' His Divine spiritual. Consequently the external aspect of the Lord's kingdom and of His Church is meant by 'Jacob' and the internal by 'Israel', as becomes additionally clear from the following places in which again each name is used in its own sense. In the prophecy uttered by Jacob, who by then was Israel,

By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob; from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. Genesis 49:24.

In Isaiah,

Hear, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. Fear not, O My servant Jacob, and Jeshurun whom I have chosen. I will pour out My spirit upon your seed, and My blessing upon your sons. This one will say, I am Jehovah's, and another will call himself by the name of Jacob: and he will write with his hand, Jehovah's, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Isaiah 44:1-3, 5.

Here 'Jacob' and 'Israel' plainly stand for the Lord, while Jacob or Israel's 'seed' and 'sons' stand for those whose faith is in Him. In Balaam's prophecy in Moses,

Who will count the dust of Jacob, and its number together with a fourth part of Israel? Numbers 23:10.

And again,

There is no divination against Jacob, nor enchantments against Israel. At that time it will be said to Jacob and to Israel, What has God done? Numbers 23:23.

Further still,

How fine are your tabernacles, O Jacob; your dwelling-places, O Israel. Numbers 24:5.

And again,

A star will arise out of Jacob, and a sceptre out of Israel. Numbers 24:17.

In Isaiah,

My glory will I not give to another. Hearken to me, O Jacob, and O Israel whom I called: I am the same; I am the first; I am also the last. Isaiah 48:11-12.

In the same prophet,

Those who are to come Jacob will cause to take root. Israel will blossom and flower, and the face of the earth will be filled with produce. Isaiah 27:6.

In Jeremiah,

Do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I have saved you from afar. Jeremiah 30:9-10.

In Micah,

I will surely gather Jacob, all of you, I will surely assemble the remnant of Israel, I will put them together, like the sheep of Bozrah. Micah 2:12.

[8] The reason why Jacob received the name Israel is clear from the actual words used when he was given it, which are these,

Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince you have contended with God and with men, and have prevailed.

Israel in the original language means 'one contending as a prince with God', and these words mean in the internal sense that he overcame in the conflicts that accompany temptations; for it was through temptations and the conflicts which take place in temptations 2 that the Lord made His Human Divine, 1737, 1813, and elsewhere. And it is temptations and victories in temptations that make the spiritual man. This is why Jacob first received the name Israel after his wrestling - 'wrestling' meaning to undergo temptation, see 4274. It is well known that the Church, or the member of the Christian Church, calls itself Israel, but no one in the Church is an Israel except the one who has become a spiritual man through temptations. The name itself also implies the same. A subsequent confirmation of the fact that Jacob was to be called Israel was also given to him, as is clear from the following words further on,

And God appeared again to Jacob when coming from Paddan Aram, and blessed him; and God said to him, Your name is Jacob; your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel will be your name. And He called his name Israel. Genesis 35:9-10.

The reason for this confirmation will be discussed below.

Poznámky pod čarou:

1. i.e. in a cart

2. Or, reading what Swedenborg had in his rough draft for it was through temptations and victories in temptations

  
/ 10837  
  

Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

Bible

 

Psalms 119

Studie

   

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law.

2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.

3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.

5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!

6 Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.

7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.

8 I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me. BET

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

10 With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.

13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.

16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL

17 Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.

18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.

19 I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me.

20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.

21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.

22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.

23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALED

25 My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!

26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.

27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.

28 My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.

29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!

30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.

31 I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed.

32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HEY

33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.

39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.

40 Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. WAW

41 Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word.

42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.

43 Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.

44 So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.

45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.

47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.

48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN

49 Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.

51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law.

52 I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself.

53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.

54 Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.

55 I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law.

56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts. CHET

57 Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.

58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.

59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.

60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.

61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.

63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.

64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. TET

65 Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.

68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.

69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.

70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD

73 Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.

75 Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.

77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.

79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.

80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. KAF

81 My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.

82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"

83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes.

84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.

86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!

87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts.

88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMED

89 Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.

90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.

92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.

94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM

97 How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.

98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.

102 I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NUN

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.

107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.

108 Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.

109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.

111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. SAMEKH

113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.

115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.

118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.

119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN

121 I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors.

122 Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me.

123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.

124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.

125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

126 It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law.

127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.

128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY

129 Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.

130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.

132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.

135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.

136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law. TZADI

137 You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.

138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.

140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

141 I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. KUF

145 I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.

146 I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.

148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.

150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.

151 You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.

152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH

153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law.

154 Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes.

156 Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.

158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word.

159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.

160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.

164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.

165 Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.

166 I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.

167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.

168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. TAV

169 Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.

170 Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.

171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.

172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments. A Song of Ascents.