א׳
אַשְׁרֵ֥י תְמִֽימֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ הַֽ֝הֹלְכִ֗ים בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָֽה׃
1
Happy are those whose way is blameless,
who follow the teaching of the LORD.
1
ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
ב׳
אַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכָל־לֵ֥ב יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃
2
Happy are those who observe His decrees,
who turn to Him wholeheartedly.
2
Happy are they that keep His testimonies, that seek Him with the whole heart.
ג׳
אַ֭ף לֹֽא־פָעֲל֣וּ עַוְלָ֑ה בִּדְרָכָ֥יו הָלָֽכוּ׃
3
They have done no wrong,
but have followed His ways.
3
Yea, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.
אַף לֹא פָעֲלוּ עַוְלָה. אַשְׁרֵיהֶם אִם כָּל זֶה בָּהֶם:
Not only have they committed no injustice They are praiseworthy if all this is in them.
בִּדְרָכָיו הָלָכוּ. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא פָּעֲלוּ עַוְלָה, אֵין שְׂכָרָם שָׁלֵם אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן בִּדְרָכָיו הָלָכוּ. וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר ״סוּר מֵרָע וַעֲשֵׂה טוֹב״ (תהלים לד:טו) – אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאַתָּה סָר מֵרָע, אֵין הַכֹּל שָׁלֵם אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן תַּעֲשֶׂה טוֹב (מדרש אגדה):
they walked in His ways Although they committed no injustice, their reward is incomplete unless they walked in His ways. And so he says (above 43:15): “Shun evil and do good.” Even though you shun evil, everything is not complete unless you do good. Midrash Aggadah.
ד׳
אַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃
4
You have commanded that Your precepts
be kept diligently.
4
Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
ה׳
אַ֭חֲלַי יִכֹּ֥נוּ דְרָכָ֗י לִשְׁמֹ֥ר חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
5
Would that my ways were firm
in keeping Your laws;
5
Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes!
אַחֲלַי יִכֹּנוּ דְרָכָי. אָלֶ״ף יְסוֹד בַּתֵּיבָה, הַנּוֹפֵל מִמֶּנּוּ לִפְרָקִים, כְּמוֹ אָלֶ״ף שֶׁבְּ״אַחֲוָתִי בְאָזְנֵיכֶם״ (איוב יג:יז) וְאָלֶ״ף שֶׁל ״אָסוּךְ שָׁמֶן״ (מלכים ב ד:ב). אַחֲלַי תְּפִלּוֹתַי אֵלּוּ הֵן: שֶׁיִּכּוֹנוּ דְרָכָי. וְכֵן ״אַחֲלֵי אֲדֹנִי לִפְנֵי הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר בְּשֹׁמְרוֹן וְגוֹ׳״ (מלכים ב ה:ג) – צָרְכֵי אֲדוֹנִי, לְהִתְפַּלֵּל שֶׁיֵּלֵךְ לִפְנֵי הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר בְּשׁוֹמְרוֹן. וְלָשׁוֹן אַחֲלִיּוּת שוהיי״ט בְּלַעַ״ז, כְּאָדָם הָאוֹמֵר: הַלְוַאי וְהָיִיתִי נָבִיא וְחָכָם:
My prayers are that my ways should be established Heb. אחלי. The “aleph” is a radical that is sometimes dropped, like the “aleph” in (Job 13:17): “and my speech (ואחותי) in your ears,” and the “aleph” of (II Kings 4:2): “a jug (אסוך) of oil.” My prayers These prayers of mine are that my ways should be established Likewise (II Kings 5:3): “The supplications (אחלי) for my master should be that he go before the prophet who is in Samaria, etc.” The supplications of those who pray should be that he go before the prophet who is in Samaria, and it is an expression of wishes, souhait in French, as a person says, “If only I were a prophet and a sage.”
ו׳
אָ֥ז לֹא־אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־כָּל־מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
6
then I would not be ashamed
when I regard all Your commandments.
6
Then should I not be ashamed, when I have regard unto all Thy commandments.
ז׳
א֭וֹדְךָ בְּיֹ֣שֶׁר לֵבָ֑ב בְּ֝לָמְדִ֗י מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
7
I will praise You with a sincere heart
as I learn Your just rules.
7
I will give thanks unto Thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn Thy righteous ordinances. .
ח׳
אֶת־חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶשְׁמֹ֑ר אַֽל־תַּעַזְבֵ֥נִי עַד־מְאֹֽד׃
8
I will keep Your laws;
do not utterly forsake me.
8
I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly.
ט׳
בַּמֶּ֣ה יְזַכֶּה־נַּ֭עַר אֶת־אָרְח֑וֹ לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
9
How can a young man keep his way pure?—
by holding to Your word.
9
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.
י׳
בְּכָל־לִבִּ֥י דְרַשְׁתִּ֑יךָ אַל־תַּ֝שְׁגֵּ֗נִי מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
10
I have turned to You with all my heart;
do not let me stray from Your commandments.
10
With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy commandments.
י"א
בְּ֭לִבִּי צָפַ֣נְתִּי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֶֽחֱטָא־לָֽךְ׃
11
In my heart I treasure Your promise;
therefore I do not sin against You.
11
Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
בְּלִבִּי צָפַנְתִּי. לֹא נְתַתִּיהָ לְהִשְׁתַּכֵּחַ מִמֶּנִּי:
In my heart I hid I did not allow myself to forget it.
י"ב
בָּר֖וּךְ אַתָּ֥ה יְהוָ֗ה לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
12
Blessed are You, O LORD;
train me in Your laws.
12
Blessed art Thou, O LORD; Teach me Thy statutes.
י"ג
בִּשְׂפָתַ֥י סִפַּ֑רְתִּי כֹּ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵי־פִֽיךָ׃
13
With my lips I rehearse
all the rules You proclaimed.
13
With my lips have I told All the ordinances of Thy mouth.
י"ד
בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ שַׂ֗שְׂתִּי כְּעַ֣ל כָּל־הֽוֹן׃
14
I rejoice over the way of Your decrees
as over all riches.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
ט"ו
בְּפִקֻּדֶ֥יךָ אָשִׂ֑יחָה וְ֝אַבִּ֗יטָה אֹרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃
15
I study Your precepts;
I regard Your ways;
15
I will meditate in Thy precepts, And have respect unto Thy ways.
ט"ז
בְּחֻקֹּתֶ֥יךָ אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע לֹ֭א אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃
16
I take delight in Your laws;
I will not neglect Your word.
16
I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.
אֶשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע. אֶתְעַסֵּק, כְּמוֹ ״יִשְׁעֶה הָאָדָם עַל עֹשֵׂהוּ״ (ישעיהו יז:ז), ״וְאַל יִשְׁעוּ בְּדִבְרֵי שָׁקֶר״ (שמות ה:ט):
I shall occupy myself Heb. אשתעשע, I shall engage, like (Isa. 17:7): “man shall turn to his Maker”; (Exod. 5:9) “and let them not engage (ישעו) in useless things.”
י"ז
גְּמֹ֖ל עַֽל־עַבְדְּךָ֥ אֶֽחְיֶ֗ה וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה דְבָרֶֽךָ׃
17
Deal kindly with Your servant,
that I may live to keep Your word.
17
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with Thy servant that I may live, and I will observe Thy word.
גְּמֹל עַל עַבְדְּךָ. דָּבָר שֶׁאֶחְיֶה בּוֹ בִּגְמוּל חַסְדְּךָ:
Bestow kindness upon Your servant A thing with which I shall be able to live, through the bestowal of your kindness.
י"ח
גַּל־עֵינַ֥י וְאַבִּ֑יטָה נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת מִתּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
18
Open my eyes, that I may perceive
the wonders of Your teaching.
18
Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.
נִפְלָאוֹת מִתּוֹרָתֶךָ. דְּבָרִים הַמְכֻסִּים בָּהּ, שֶׁאֵינָם מְפֹרָשִׁים בָּהּ:
hidden things from Your Torah Hidden things in it, which are not explained therein.
מִתּוֹרָתֶךָ. נִפְלָאִים מִפֵּירוּשֵׁי תּוֹרָתֶךָ שֶׁאֵינָם מְפוֹרָשִׁים בָּהּ (מצאתי):
(from Your Torah) Wonders from the explanations of your Torah which are not explained therein.
י"ט
גֵּ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י בָאָ֑רֶץ אַל־תַּסְתֵּ֥ר מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
19
I am only a sojourner in the land;
do not hide Your commandments from me.
19
I am a sojourner in the earth; hide not Thy commandments from me.
גֵּר אָנֹכִי בָאָרֶץ. יָמִים מוּעָטִים:
I am a stranger in the land for a short time.
אַל תַּסְתֵּר מִמֶּנִּי. מִצְוֹתֶיךָ הַנֶּעֱלָמוֹת שֶׁאוּכַל לְקַיְּמָם, שֶׁאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו אֵימָתַי:
do not hide Your commandments from me The hidden ones, so that I should be able to fulfill them, for if not now, when?
כ׳
גָּרְסָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֣י לְתַאֲבָ֑ה אֶֽל־מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ בְכָל־עֵֽת׃
20
My soul is consumed with longing
for Your rules at all times.
20
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thine ordinances at all times.
גָּרְסָה. מִשְׁתַּבֶּרֶת נַפְשִׁי מֵחֲמַת תַּאֲוָה, כְּמוֹ ״גֶּרֶשׂ כַּרְמֶל״ (ויקרא ב:יד). וּמְנַחֵם חִבֵּר לְתַאֲבָה עִם ״מְתָאֵב אָנֹכִי אֶת גְּאוֹן יַעֲקֹב״ (עמוס ו:ח), וּשְׁנֵיהֶם לְשׁוֹן שֶׁבֶר:
is crushed Heb. גרסה. My soul breaks because of longing, as (Lev. 2:14): “crushed kernels (גרשׂ) of the fresh ears.” Menachem (p. 183), however, associated “from longing” (לתאבה) with (Amos 6:8) “I destroy (מתאב) the pride of Jacob,” and both are an expression of breaking.
כ"א
גָּ֭עַרְתָּ זֵדִ֣ים אֲרוּרִ֑ים הַ֝שֹּׁגִים מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
21
You blast the accursed insolent ones
who stray from Your commandments.
21
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, that do err from Thy commandments.
כ"ב
גַּ֣ל מֵֽ֭עָלַי חֶרְפָּ֣ה וָב֑וּז כִּ֖י עֵדֹתֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
22
Take away from me taunt and abuse,
because I observe Your decrees.
22
Take away from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies.
גַּל מֵעָלַי. לְשׁוֹן גִּלְגּוּל, כְּמוֹ ״וַיָּגֶל אֶת הָאָבֶן״ (בראשית כט:י):
Remove from me Heb. גל, an expression of rolling, like (Gen. 29:10): “and he rolled (ויגל) the stone.”
כ"ג
גַּ֤ם יָֽשְׁב֣וּ שָׂ֭רִים בִּ֣י נִדְבָּ֑רוּ עַ֝בְדְּךָ֗ יָשִׂ֥יחַ בְּחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
23
Though princes meet and speak against me,
Your servant studies Your laws.
23
Even though princes sit and talk against me, Thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes.
בִּי נִדְבָּרוּ. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמַּלְכֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מִתְלוֹצְצִים עָלַי שֶׁאֲנִי עוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה:
talked about me Although the kings of the heathens scorn me because I engage in the Torah.
כ"ד
גַּֽם־עֵ֭דֹתֶיךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֗י אַנְשֵׁ֥י עֲצָתִֽי׃
24
For Your decrees are my delight,
my intimate companions.
24
Yea, Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counsellors. DALETH.
כ"ה
דָּֽבְקָ֣ה לֶעָפָ֣ר נַפְשִׁ֑י חַ֝יֵּ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
25
My soul clings to the dust;
revive me in accordance with Your word.
25
My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken Thou me according to Thy word.
חַיֵּנִי כִּדְבָרֶךָ. כְּמוֹ שֶׁהִבְטַחְתַּנִי עַל יְדֵי נָתָן הַנָּבִיא טוֹבָה (שמואל ב ז:יב-טז):
revive me according to Your word Just as You promised me good, through Nathan the prophet.
כ"ו
דְּרָכַ֣י סִ֭פַּרְתִּי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֗נִי לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
26
I have declared my way, and You have answered me;
train me in Your laws.
26
I told of my ways, and Thou didst answer me; teach me Thy statutes.
סִפַּרְתִּי. לְךָ אֶת צְרָכַי וְאֶת חֲטָאתִי, וְאַתָּה עֲנִיתָנִי:
I told of my ways to You, [of] my needs and my sin, and You answered me.
כ"ז
דֶּֽרֶךְ־פִּקּוּדֶ֥יךָ הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אָשִׂ֗יחָה בְּנִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
27
Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
that I may study Your wondrous acts.
27
Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts, that I may talk of Thy wondrous works.
כ"ח
דָּלְפָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִתּוּגָ֑ה קַ֝יְּמֵ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
28
I am racked with grief;
sustain me in accordance with Your word.
28
My soul melteth away for heaviness; sustain me according unto Thy word.
דָּלְפָה נַפְשִׁי. נָטְפָה, כְּלוֹמַר: נֶחְסֶרֶת וְהוֹלֶכֶת:
My soul drips Heb. דלפה, drips; i.e., it is becoming less and less.
כ"ט
דֶּֽרֶךְ־שֶׁ֭קֶר הָסֵ֣ר מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ חָנֵּֽנִי׃
29
Remove all false ways from me;
favor me with Your teaching.
29
Remove from me the way of falsehood; and grant me Thy law graciously.
ל׳
דֶּֽרֶךְ־אֱמוּנָ֥ה בָחָ֑רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ שִׁוִּֽיתִי׃
30
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set Your rules before me.
30
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; Thine ordinances have I set [before me].
מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ שִׁוִּיתִי. שַׂמְתִּי עַצְמִי לְמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ וְדָבַקְתִּי בְּעֵדוֹתֶיךָ, לִבְחוֹר בְּדֶרֶךְ אֱמוּנָה. לְךָ אֲנִי שׁוֹאֵל: דֶּרֶךְ שֶׁקֶר הָסֵר מִמֶּנִּי:
Your judgments I have set I applied myself to your judgments and I clung to your testimony, to choose the way of faith. Therefore, I ask, “Remove from me the way of falsehood.”
ל"א
דָּבַ֥קְתִּי בְעֵֽדְוֺתֶ֑יךָ יְ֝הוָ֗ה אַל־תְּבִישֵֽׁנִי׃
31
I cling to Your decrees;
O LORD, do not put me to shame.
31
I cleave unto Thy testimonies; O LORD, put me not to shame.
ל"ב
דֶּֽרֶךְ־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אָר֑וּץ כִּ֖י תַרְחִ֣יב לִבִּֽי׃
32
I eagerly pursue Your commandments,
for You broaden my understanding.
32
I will run the way of Thy commandments, For Thou dost enlarge my heart.
ל"ג
הוֹרֵ֣נִי יְ֭הוָה דֶּ֥רֶךְ חֻקֶּ֗יךָ וְאֶצְּרֶ֥נָּה עֵֽקֶב׃
33
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your laws;
I will observe them to the utmost.
33
HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes; And I will keep it at every step.
וְאֶצְּרֶנָּה עֵקֶב. אֶשְׁמְרֶנָּה בְּכָל מַעְגְּלוֹתֶיהָ וְעִקְּבֵי נְתִיבוֹתֶיהָ, לְשׁוֹן עֲקֵבִים, טְרָאצֵ״שׁ בְּלַעַ״ז:
and I shall keep it at every step Heb. עקב. I shall keep it in all its paths and the steps of its paths, an expression of “heels” (עקבים), traces in French, footsteps.
ל"ד
הֲ֭בִינֵנִי וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה תֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ וְאֶשְׁמְרֶ֥נָּה בְכָל־לֵֽב׃
34
Give me understanding, that I may observe Your teaching
and keep it wholeheartedly.
34
Give me understanding, that I keep Thy law and observe it with my whole heart.
ל"ה
הַ֭דְרִיכֵנִי בִּנְתִ֣יב מִצְוֺתֶ֑יךָ כִּי־ב֥וֹ חָפָֽצְתִּי׃
35
Lead me in the path of Your commandments,
for that is my concern.
35
Make me to tread in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
ל"ו
הַט־לִ֭בִּי אֶל־עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ וְאַ֣ל אֶל־בָּֽצַע׃
36
Turn my heart to Your decrees
and not to love of gain.
36
Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
ל"ז
הַעֲבֵ֣ר עֵ֭ינַי מֵרְא֣וֹת שָׁ֑וְא בִּדְרָכֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
37
Avert my eyes from seeing falsehood;
by Your ways preserve me.
37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in Thy ways.
ל"ח
הָקֵ֣ם לְ֭עַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לְיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃
38
Fulfill Your promise to Your servant,
which is for those who worship You.
38
Confirm Thy word unto Thy servant, which pertaineth unto the fear of Thee.
הָקֵם לְעַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶךָ. אֲשֶׁר הִבְטַחְתַּנִי:
Fulfill for Your servant Your word that You promised me.
אֲשֶׁר לְיִרְאָתֶךָ. שֶׁאֶהְיֶה אֲנִי וְזַרְעִי יִרְאֵי שְׁמֶךָ, שֶׁעַל מְנָת כֵּן הִבְטַחְתַּנִי: ״אִם יִשְׁמְרוּ בָנֶיךָ אֶת דַּרְכָּם וְגוֹ׳״ (מלכים א ב:ד):
that is for Your fear That I and my children shall fear Your name, for on that condition You promised me (I Kings 2:4): “if your children take heed in their way, etc.”
ל"ט
הַעֲבֵ֣ר חֶ֭רְפָּתִי אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָגֹ֑רְתִּי כִּ֖י מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ טוֹבִֽים׃
39
Remove the taunt that I dread,
for Your rules are good.
39
Turn away my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good.
הַעֲבֵר חֶרְפָּתִי. מְחוֹל לִי עַל אוֹתוֹ עָוֹן, וְשׁוּב לֹא יוּכְלוּ אוֹיְבַי לְחָרְפֵנִי בּוֹ:
Remove my disgrace Forgive me for that sin [with Bath-sheba], and my enemies will no longer be able to disgrace me with it.
כִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ טוֹבִים. וּכְבָר אֲנִי מְקַבֵּל עָלַי לְשַׁלֵּם הַכִּבְשָׂה אַרְבַּעְתַּיִם (שמואל ב יב:ו):
for Your judgments are good and I already accept upon myself “to repay the ewe-lamb fourfold.”
מ׳
הִ֭נֵּה תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לְפִקֻּדֶ֑יךָ בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
40
See, I have longed for Your precepts;
by Your righteousness preserve me.
40
Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts; quicken me in Thy righteousness.
מ"א
וִֽיבֹאֻ֣נִי חֲסָדֶ֣ךָ יְהוָ֑ה תְּ֝שֽׁוּעָתְךָ֗ כְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃
41
May Your steadfast love reach me, O LORD,
Your deliverance, as You have promised.
41
VAV. Let Thy mercies also come unto me, O LORD, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word;
וִיבֹאֻנִי. תְּשׁוּעָתְךָ תָּבֹא אֵלַי כְּאִמְרָתֶךָ שֶׁהִבְטַחְתַּנִי:
And may...befall me May Your salvation befall me according to Your word which You promised me.
מ"ב
וְאֶֽעֱנֶ֣ה חֹרְפִ֣י דָבָ֑ר כִּֽי־בָ֝טַחְתִּי בִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
42
I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I have put my trust in Your word.
42
That I may have an answer for him that taunteth me; for I trust in Thy word.
מ"ג
וְֽאַל־תַּצֵּ֬ל מִפִּ֣י דְבַר־אֱמֶ֣ת עַד־מְאֹ֑ד כִּ֖י לְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣ךָ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
43
Do not utterly take the truth away from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in Your rules.
43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I hope in Thine ordinances;
וְאַל תַּצֵּל מִפִּי דְבַר אֱמֶת. וְאַל תַּבְדֵּל מִפִּי דְּבַר אֱמֶת, כְּמוֹ ״וַיַּצֵּל אֱלֹהִים אֶת מִקְנֵה אֲבִיכֶם״ (בראשית לא:ט) (מצאתי):
And do not take...from my mouth a word of truth Heb. תצל. Do not separate from my mouth a word of truth, as (Gen. 31:9): “And God separated (ויצל) your father’s property and gave it to me.” I found this.
דְּבַר אֱמֶת עַד מְאֹד. בְּכָל הוֹרָאוֹתַי וּבְכָל דִּינַי, שֶׁלֹּא אֶכָּשֵׁל בָּהֶם:
utterly...a word of truth in all my instructions [regarding ritual law] and in all my legal decisions, that I should not stumble over them.
יִחָלְתִּי. קִוִּיתִי:
מ"ד
וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֖ה תוֹרָתְךָ֥ תָמִ֗יד לְעוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃
44
I will always obey Your teaching,
forever and ever.
44
So shall I observe Thy law continually for ever and ever;
מ"ה
וְאֶתְהַלְּכָ֥ה בָרְחָבָ֑ה כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃
45
I will walk about at ease,
for I have turned to Your precepts.
45
And I will walk at ease, for I have sought Thy precepts;
וְאֶתְהַלְּכָה בָרְחָבָה. בַּהֲלָכָה מְרֻוַּחַת וּפוֹשֶׁטֶת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל:
And I shall walk in widely accepted ways in the halachah that is widely accepted and widespread in Israel.
דָּרָשְׁתִּי. בִּקַּשְׁתִּי:
מ"ו
וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה בְ֭עֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶ֥גֶד מְלָכִ֗ים וְלֹ֣א אֵבֽוֹשׁ׃
46
I will speak of Your decrees,
and not be ashamed in the presence of kings.
46
I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.
מ"ז
וְאֶשְׁתַּֽעֲשַׁ֥ע בְּמִצְוֺתֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהָֽבְתִּי׃
47
I will delight in Your commandments,
which I love.
47
And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.
מ"ח
וְאֶשָּֽׂא־כַפַּ֗י אֶֽל־מִ֭צְוֺתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהָ֗בְתִּי וְאָשִׂ֥יחָה בְחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
48
I reach out for Your commandments, which I love;
I study Your laws.
48
I will lift up my hands also unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate in Thy statutes.
מ"ט
זְכֹר־דָּבָ֥ר לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ עַ֝֗ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִֽחַלְתָּֽנִי׃
49
Remember Your word to Your servant
through which You have given me hope.
49
ZAIN. Remember the word unto Thy servant, Because Thou hast made me to hope.
זְכֹר דָּבָר. אֲשֶׁר יִחַלְתַּנִי עַל יְדֵי נָתָן הַנָּבִיא לְעַבְדֶּךָ (שמואל ב ז:יב-טז):
Remember a word through which You gave me hope, through Nathan the prophet to your servant.
נ׳
זֹ֣את נֶחָמָתִ֣י בְעָנְיִ֑י כִּ֖י אִמְרָתְךָ֣ חִיָּֽתְנִי׃
50
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that Your promise has preserved me.
50
This is my comfort in my affliction, that Thy word hath quickened me.
נ"א
זֵ֭דִים הֱלִיצֻ֣נִי עַד־מְאֹ֑ד מִ֝תּֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃
51
Though the arrogant have cruelly mocked me,
I have not swerved from Your teaching.
51
The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not turned aside from Thy law.
נ"ב
זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֖יךָ מֵעוֹלָ֥ם ׀ יְהוָ֗ה וָֽאֶתְנֶחָֽם׃
52
I remember Your rules of old, O LORD,
and find comfort in them.
52
I have remembered Thine ordinances which are of old, O LORD, and have comforted myself. .
מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ מֵעוֹלָם. שֶׁאַתָּה מֵבִיא יִסּוּרִין וְחוֹזֵר מֵחֲמָתְךָ וְסוֹלֵחַ, וְעַל כֵּן אֶתְנֶחָם:
Your judgments of old that You bring sufferings and You repent of your anger and forgive. Therefore, I was consoled.
נ"ג
זַלְעָפָ֣ה אֲ֭חָזַתְנִי מֵרְשָׁעִ֑ים עֹ֝זְבֵ֗י תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
53
I am seized with rage
because of the wicked who forsake Your teaching.
53
Burning indignation hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law.
נ"ד
זְ֭מִרוֹת הָֽיוּ־לִ֥י חֻקֶּ֗יךָ בְּבֵ֣ית מְגוּרָֽי׃
54
Your laws are a source of strength to me
wherever I may dwell.
54
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
נ"ה
זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי בַלַּ֣יְלָה שִׁמְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וָֽ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
55
I remember Your name at night, O LORD,
and obey Your teaching.
55
I have remembered Thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have observed Thy law.
זָכַרְתִּי בַלַּיְלָה. בְּעֵת צָרָה וַאֲפֵלָה:
At night I remembered At a time of distress and darkness.
נ"ו
זֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
56
This has been my lot,
for I have observed Your precepts.
56
This I have had, that I have kept Thy precepts.
זֹאת הָיְתָה לִּי. עֲטֶרֶת הַהוֹלֶמֶת אוֹתִי לִי לְעֵדוּת, וּלְזַרְעִי הָרָאוּי לִמְלוֹךְ, בִּשְׂכַר שֶׁפִּקֻּדֶיךָ נָצָרְתִּי. כָּךְ דְּרָשׁוּהוּ חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (עבודה זרה מד.) (מצאתי):
This came to me A crown that fits me [was given] to me as a testimony and to my children who are fit to reign, as a reward for my having kept Your precepts. So did the Sages of Israel explain it. I found this:
נ"ז
חֶלְקִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אָמַ֗רְתִּי לִשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽיךָ׃
57
The LORD is my portion;
I have resolved to keep Your words.
57
HETH. My portion is the LORD, I have said that I would observe Thy words.
לִשְׁמֹר דְּבָרֶיךָ. קַיֵּם דְּבָרֶיךָ שֶׁיִּחַלְתַּנִי בְּכָךְ, אַתָּה חֶלְקִי:
to keep Your words the fulfillment of your words, with which You gave me hope, in that You are my portion.
נ"ח
חִלִּ֣יתִי פָנֶ֣יךָ בְכָל־לֵ֑ב חָ֝נֵּ֗נִי כְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃
58
I have implored You with all my heart;
have mercy on me, in accordance with Your promise.
58
I have entreated Thy favour with my whole heart; be gracious unto me according to Thy word.
חִלִּיתִי פָנֶיךָ. בִּלְשׁוֹן ״חֶלְקִי ה׳ אָמְרָה נַפְשִׁי עַל כֵּן אוֹחִיל לוֹ״ (איכה ג:כד):
I entreated You Heb. חליתי, from the expression of (Lam. 3:24): “‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul; ‘therefore, I will hope (אוחיל) to Him.’”
נ"ט
חִשַּׁ֥בְתִּי דְרָכָ֑י וָאָשִׁ֥יבָה רַ֝גְלַ֗י אֶל־עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
59
I have considered my ways,
and have turned back to Your decrees.
59
I considered my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
חִשַּׁבְתִּי דְרָכָי. הֶפְסֵד מִצְוָה כְּנֶגֶד שְׂכָרָהּ, וּשְׂכַר עֲבֵרָה כְּנֶגֶד הֶפְסֵדָהּ, לְפִיכָךְ וָאָשִׁיבָה רַגְלַי אֶל עֵדוֹתֶיךָ, כִּי רָאִיתִי שֶׁהִיא הַטּוֹבָה שֶׁבְּכֻלָּן (ויקרא רבה לה.):
I considered my ways The loss of a commandment as compared to its gain, and the gain of a transgression as compared to its loss. Therefore, “I returned my feet to Your testimonies,” because I saw that it [Your way] is the best of all of them.
ס׳
חַ֭שְׁתִּי וְלֹ֣א הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
60
I have hurried and not delayed
to keep Your commandments.
60
I made haste, and delayed not, to observe Thy commandments.
ס"א
חֶבְלֵ֣י רְשָׁעִ֣ים עִוְּדֻ֑נִי תּֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
61
Though the bonds of the wicked are coiled round me,
I have not neglected Your teaching.
61
The bands of the wicked have enclosed me; but I have not forgotten Thy law.
חֶבְלֵי רְשָׁעִים עִוְּדוּנִי. סִיעוֹת שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים שְׁלָלוּנִי, כְּמוֹ ״יֹאכַל עַד״ (בראשית מט:כז), כָּךְ חִבְּרוֹ מְנַחֵם. וְיֵשׁ לְפוֹתְרוֹ לְשׁוֹן עוֹד, כְּלוֹמַר: נוֹסְפוּ וְרָבוּ עָלַי:
Bands of wicked men robbed me Heb. עודני. Bands of wicked men plundered me, like (Gen. 49: 27): “in the morning he will eat plunder (עד).” In this manner, Menachem (p. 131) associated it. It may also be interpreted as an expression of עוֹד, more, i.e., increased and outnumbered me.
ס"ב
חֲצֽוֹת־לַ֗יְלָה אָ֭קוּם לְהוֹד֣וֹת לָ֑ךְ עַ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
62
I arise at midnight to praise You
for Your just rules.
62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous ordinances.
ס"ג
חָבֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי לְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְרֵא֑וּךָ וּ֝לְשֹׁמְרֵ֗י פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
63
I am a companion to all who fear You,
to those who keep Your precepts.
63
I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that observe Thy precepts.
ס"ד
חַסְדְּךָ֣ יְ֭הוָה מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֗רֶץ חֻקֶּ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃
64
Your steadfast love, O LORD, fills the earth;
teach me Your laws.
64
The earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy; teach me Thy statutes.
ס"ה
ט֭וֹב עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִֽם־עַבְדְּךָ֑ יְ֝הוָ֗ה כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
65
You have treated Your servant well,
according to Your word, O LORD.
65
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
ס"ו
ט֤וּב טַ֣עַם וָדַ֣עַת לַמְּדֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י בְמִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ הֶאֱמָֽנְתִּי׃
66
Teach me good sense and knowledge,
for I have put my trust in Your commandments.
66
Teach me good discernment and knowledge; for I have believed in Thy commandments.
ס"ז
טֶ֣רֶם אֶ֭עֱנֶה אֲנִ֣י שֹׁגֵ֑ג וְ֝עַתָּ֗ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ שָׁמָֽרְתִּי׃
67
Before I was humbled I went astray,
but now I keep Your word.
67
Before I was afflicted, I did err; But now I observe Thy word.
טֶרֶם אֶעֱנֶה. אוֹתְךָ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ, טֶרֶם הָגִיתִי בָּהֶם בְּבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת אֲנִי שֹׁגֵג בָּהֶם וְחוֹטֵא. וְעַתָּה מִשֶּׁנַּעֲנֵיתִי בָּהֶם תּוֹרָתְךָ שָׁמָרְתִּי, שֶׁהַמִּדְרָשׁ מְלַמְּדֵנִי לָסוּר מִן הָעֲבֵירָה. לָכֵן אֲנִי מְבַקֵּשׁ מִמְּךָ טוּב טַעַם וָדַעַת לַמְּדֵנִי:
Before I recited to You about Your commandments, before I uttered them in the study halls, I erred in them and sinned. But now that I have recited them, I kept your Torah, for study teaches me to turn away from sin: therefore, I beg of You, “Teach me the best of reason and knowledge.”
אֶעֱנֶה. לְשׁוֹן שׁוֹנֶה וְהוֹגֶה בְּבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ הוּא, כְּמוֹ תַּעַן לְשׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶךָ. וְכֵן ״יַכְרֵת ה׳ לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂנָּה עֵר וְעֹנֶה מֵאָהֳלֵי יַעֲקֹב״ (מלאכי ב:יב), עֵר בַּחֲכָמִים וְעוֹנֶה בַּתַּלְמִידִים:
I recited Heb. אענה, an expression of studying and reciting in the study hall, like (verse 172): “My tongue will utter (תען) Your word.” Similarly (Mal. 2:12): “From the man who commits it, the Lord shall cut off one of acuity or erudition (ועונה) from the tents of Jacob.” An ingenious one among the sages, and one who can answer among the students.
ס"ח
טוֹב־אַתָּ֥ה וּמֵטִ֗יב לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
68
You are good and beneficent;
teach me Your laws.
68
Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me Thy statutes.
ס"ט
טָפְל֬וּ עָלַ֣י שֶׁ֣קֶר זֵדִ֑ים אֲ֝נִ֗י בְּכָל־לֵ֤ב ׀ אֱצֹּ֬ר פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
69
Though the arrogant have accused me falsely,
I observe Your precepts wholeheartedly.
69
The proud have forged a lie against me; But I with my whole heart will keep Thy precepts.
טָפְלוּ עָלַי שֶׁקֶר. חִבְּרוּ עָלַי שֶׁקֶר, וְכֵן ״וְתִטְפֹּל עַל עֲוֹנִי״ (איוב יד:יז):
Willful sinners have heaped false accusations upon me Heb. טפלו, they joined upon me, and similarly (Job 14:17): “and You have attached Yourself (ותטפל) to my iniquity.”
ע׳
טָפַ֣שׁ כַּחֵ֣לֶב לִבָּ֑ם אֲ֝נִ֗י תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ שִֽׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי׃
70
Their minds are thick like fat;
as for me, Your teaching is my delight.
70
Their heart is gross like fat; But I delight in Thy law.
ע"א
טֽוֹב־לִ֥י כִֽי־עֻנֵּ֑יתִי לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶלְמַ֥ד חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
71
It was good for me that I was humbled,
so that I might learn Your laws.
71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, In order that I might learn Thy statutes.
טוֹב לִי כִּי עֻנֵּיתִי. שֶׁנִּתְיַסַּרְתִּי וְעֻנֵּיתִי לְמַעַן אָשׁוּב מִדֶּרֶךְ רָעָה וְאֶשְׁמֹר חֻקֶּיךָ. בְּפֵרוּשִׁים אֲחֵרִים מָצָאתִי כֵּן: טוֹב לִי כִּי עֻנֵּיתִי וְגוֹ׳, טוֹב הָיָה בְּעֵינַי כְּשֶׁהָיִיתִי סוֹבֵל יִסּוּרִים כְּדֵי לִלְמֹד תּוֹרָה בְּצַעַר:
It is good for me that I was afflicted That I was chastised and afflicted in order that I repent of the evil way and keep Your statutes. In other commentaries I found the following: It is good for me that I was afflicted, etc. It appeared good to me when I suffered privations in order to learn Your statutes, when I learned the Torah in pain.
ע"ב
טֽוֹב־לִ֥י תֽוֹרַת־פִּ֑יךָ מֵ֝אַלְפֵ֗י זָהָ֥ב וָכָֽסֶף׃
72
I prefer the teaching You proclaimed
to thousands of gold and silver pieces.
72
The law of Thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.
ע"ג
יָדֶ֣יךָ עָ֭שׂוּנִי וַֽיְכוֹנְנ֑וּנִי הֲ֝בִינֵ֗נִי וְאֶלְמְדָ֥ה מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
73
Your hands made me and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.
73
JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.
ע"ד
יְ֭רֵאֶיךָ יִרְא֣וּנִי וְיִשְׂמָ֑חוּ כִּ֖י לִדְבָרְךָ֣ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
74
Those who fear You will see me and rejoice,
for I have put my hope in Your word.
74
They that fear Thee shall see me and be glad, because I have hope in Thy word.
יְרֵאֶיךָ יִרְאוּנִי. בְּטוֹבָה וְיִשְׂמָחוּ, כִּי כִּגְמוּלִי גְּמוּלָם, שֶׁהֲרֵי מִיְּרֵאֶיךָ אֲנִי וְלִדְבָרְךָ יִחָלְתִּי:
Those who fear You will see me in prosperity and rejoice, because what was bestowed upon me will be bestowed upon them, for I am among those who fear You, and I hoped for Your word.
ע"ה
יָדַ֣עְתִּי יְ֭הוָה כִּי־צֶ֣דֶק מִשְׁפָּטֶ֑יךָ וֶ֝אֱמוּנָ֗ה עִנִּיתָֽנִי׃
75
I know, O LORD, that Your rulings are just;
rightly have You humbled me.
75
I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me. .
וֶאֱמוּנָה עִנִּיתָנִי. בְּדִין עִנִּיתָנִי:
in faith You afflicted me With justice, You afflicted me.
ע"ו
יְהִי־נָ֣א חַסְדְּךָ֣ לְנַחֲמֵ֑נִי כְּאִמְרָתְךָ֥ לְעַבְדֶּֽךָ׃
76
May Your steadfast love comfort me
in accordance with Your promise to Your servant.
76
Let, I pray Thee, Thy lovingkindness be ready to comfort me, According to Thy promise unto Thy servant.
ע"ז
יְבֹא֣וּנִי רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה כִּי־תֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ שַֽׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃
77
May Your mercy reach me, that I might live,
for Your teaching is my delight.
77
Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for Thy law is my delight.
ע"ח
יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ זֵ֭דִים כִּי־שֶׁ֣קֶר עִוְּת֑וּנִי אֲ֝נִ֗י אָשִׂ֥יחַ בְּפִקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
78
Let the insolent be dismayed, for they have wronged me without cause;
I will study Your precepts.
78
Let the proud be put to shame, for they have distorted my cause with falsehood; but I will meditate in Thy precepts.
כִּי שֶׁקֶר עִוְּתוּנִי. כִּי עַל חִנָּם הִרְשִׁיעוּנִי (מצאתי). אוֹמֵר אֲנִי: עַל לִבּוּן פָּנִים, שֶׁאוֹמֵר לוֹ: הַבָּא עַל אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ – מִיתָתוֹ בַּמֶּה? וְהוּא לֹא חָטָא (סנהדרין קז.):
for they condemned me falsely For no reason they condemned me. (I found:) I say that this deals with the embarrassment [of David] when they would say to him, “If one is intimate with a married woman, with what [method] is his death penalty?” when he [David] had not sinned.
ע"ט
יָשׁ֣וּבוּ לִ֣י יְרֵאֶ֑יךָ וידעו [וְ֝יֹדְעֵ֗י] עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
79
May those who fear You,
those who know Your decrees,
turn again to me.
79
Let those that fear Thee return unto me, and they that know Thy testimonies.
יָשׁוּבוּ לִי יְרֵאֶיךָ. שֶׁפֵּרְשׁוּ הֵימֶנּוּ סַנְהֶדְרִין כְּשֶׁנִּצְטָרַע מֵאוֹתוֹ עָוֹן (סנהדרין קז.). אַף אִם גְּרוּשָׁה הִיא נָתַן עֵינָיו בָּהּ, כָּל הַנּוֹגֵעַ לֹא יִנָּקֶה (משלי ו:כט):
May those who fear You...return to me For the Sanhedrin separated from him when he became a mezora because of that iniquity [with Bath-sheba]. Even if she was divorced, whoever puts his eyes on her, anyone who touches her, will not be guiltless.
פ׳
יְהִֽי־לִבִּ֣י תָמִ֣ים בְּחֻקֶּ֑יךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֵבֽוֹשׁ׃
80
May I wholeheartedly follow Your laws
so that I do not come to grief.
80
Let my heart be undivided in Thy statutes, in order that I may not be put to shame.
פ"א
כָּלְתָ֣ה לִתְשׁוּעָתְךָ֣ נַפְשִׁ֑י לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
81
I long for Your deliverance;
I hope for Your word.
81
CAPH. My soul pineth for Thy salvation; in Thy word do I hope.
כָּלְתָה וְגוֹ׳ נַפְשִׁי. אִוְּתָה:
pines Heb. כלתה, desires.
פ"ב
כָּל֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי לְאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לֵ֝אמֹ֗ר מָתַ֥י תְּֽנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃
82
My eyes pine away for Your promise;
I say, “When will You comfort me?”
82
Mine eyes fail for Thy word, Saying: 'When wilt Thou comfort me?'
כָּלוּ עֵינַי. צוֹפִים תָּמִיד עַד כִּי כָּלוּ:
My eyes pine Heb. כלו, lit. fail. My eyes look constantly until they fail.
פ"ג
כִּֽי־הָ֭יִיתִי כְּנֹ֣אד בְּקִיט֑וֹר חֻ֝קֶּ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
83
Though I have become like a water-skin dried in smoke,
I have not neglected Your laws.
83
For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; yet do I not forget Thy statutes.
כְּנֹאד בְּקִיטוֹר. כְּנֹאד שֶׁל עוֹר הַמִּתְיַבֵּשׁ בֶּעָשָׁן:
like a wineskin in smoke Like a flask of skin that dries in smoke.
פ"ד
כַּמָּ֥ה יְמֵֽי־עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ מָתַ֬י תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה בְרֹדְפַ֣י מִשְׁפָּֽט׃
84
How long has Your servant to live?
when will You bring my persecutors to judgment?
84
How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
מָתַי תַּעֲשֶׂה. שֶׁאֶרְאֶה בְּיָמַי:
When will You execute that I might see it in my days.
פ"ה
כָּֽרוּ־לִ֣י זֵדִ֣ים שִׁיח֑וֹת אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לֹ֣א כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
85
The insolent have dug pits for me,
flouting Your teaching.
85
The proud have digged pits for me, which is not according to Thy law.
כָּרוּ לִי זֵדִים שִׁיחוֹת. שֶׁלֹּא כַתּוֹרָה הַבָּאִים לְפָסְלֵנִי:
Willful sinners have dug pits for me Those who come to disqualify me do not do so according to the Torah.
פ"ו
כָּל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמוּנָ֑ה שֶׁ֖קֶר רְדָפ֣וּנִי עָזְרֵֽנִי׃
86
All Your commandments are enduring;
I am persecuted without cause; help me!
86
All Thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me for nought; help Thou me.
כָּל מִצְוֺתֶיךָ אֱמוּנָה. מוֹאָבִי וְלֹא מוֹאָבִית (יבמות עז.), וְהֵם עַל שֶׁקֶר רָדְפוּ לְאָסְרֵנִי:
All Your commandments are faithful A Moabite and not a Moabitess; but they pursue [me] to prohibit me [from entering the congregation of the Lord].
שֶׁקֶר רְדָפוּנִי. לַשָּׁוְא רְדָפוּנִי אוֹיְבַי:
they pursued me in vain My enemies pursued me in vain.
פ"ז
כִּ֭מְעַט כִּלּ֣וּנִי בָאָ֑רֶץ וַ֝אֲנִ֗י לֹא־עָזַ֥בְתִּי פִקֻּודֶֽיךָ׃
87
Though they almost wiped me off the earth,
I did not abandon Your precepts.
87
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but as for me, I forsook not Thy precepts.
כִּמְעַט כִּלּוּנִי. כְּלֹא הָיִיתִי אֶהְיֶה בָּאָרֶץ (איוב י:יט), וַאֲנִי עָמַדְתִּי עַל בֻּרְיִי, וְכֵן לִי קִוּוּ רְשָׁעִים לְאַבְּדֵנִי מִבֹּא בַּקָּהָל:
They almost destroyed me I was on the earth as nothing, but I stood with my strength. Likewise (verse 95): “Concerning me, the wicked hoped to destroy me” from entering the congregation, and so (above 116:16): “You loosed my thongs.”
פ"ח
כְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵד֥וּת פִּֽיךָ׃
88
As befits Your steadfast love, preserve me,
so that I may keep the decree You proclaimed.
88
Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness, and I will observe the testimony of Thy mouth.
פ"ט
לְעוֹלָ֥ם יְהוָ֑ה דְּ֝בָרְךָ֗ נִצָּ֥ב בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
89
The LORD exists forever;
Your word stands firm in heaven.
89
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, Thy word standeth fast in heaven.
צ׳
לְדֹ֣ר וָ֭דֹר אֱמֽוּנָתֶ֑ךָ כּוֹנַ֥נְתָּ אֶ֝֗רֶץ וַֽתַּעֲמֹֽד׃
90
Your faithfulness is for all generations;
You have established the earth, and it stands.
90
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations; Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.
צ"א
לְֽ֭מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ עָמְד֣וּ הַיּ֑וֹם כִּ֖י הַכֹּ֣ל עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃
91
They stand this day to [carry out] Your rulings,
for all are Your servants.
91
They stand this day according to Thine ordinances; for all things are Thy servants.
צ"ב
לוּלֵ֣י ת֭וֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֑י אָ֝֗ז אָבַ֥דְתִּי בְעָנְיִֽי׃
92
Were not Your teaching my delight
I would have perished in my affliction.
92
Unless Thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
צ"ג
לְ֭עוֹלָם לֹא־אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח פִּקּוּדֶ֑יךָ כִּ֥י בָ֝֗ם חִיִּיתָֽנִי׃
93
I will never neglect Your precepts,
for You have preserved my life through them.
93
I will never forget Thy precepts; for with them Thou hast quickened me.
צ"ד
לְֽךָ־אֲ֭נִי הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃
94
I am Yours; save me!
For I have turned to Your precepts.
94
I am Thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precepts.
צ"ה
לִ֤י קִוּ֣וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים לְאַבְּדֵ֑נִי עֵ֝דֹתֶ֗יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָֽן׃
95
The wicked hope to destroy me,
but I ponder Your decrees.
95
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me; but I will consider Thy testimonies.
צ"ו
לְֽכָל תִּ֭כְלָה רָאִ֣יתִי קֵ֑ץ רְחָבָ֖ה מִצְוָתְךָ֣ מְאֹֽד׃
96
I have seen that all things have their limit,
but Your commandment is broad beyond measure.
96
I have seen an end to every purpose; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.
לְכָל תִּכְלָה וְגוֹ׳. לְסַלְסֵל וּלְפַלְפֵּל בָּהּ, וְכֵן ״פִּתַּחְתָּ לְמוֹסֵרָי״ (תהלים קטז:טז):
or every finite thing, etc. to search them and to debate about them.
לְכָל תִּכְלָה. לְכָל סִיּוּם דָּבָר יֵשׁ קֵץ גְבוּל, אֲבָל מִצְוָתְךָ אֵין קֵץ וּגְבוּל לְתַכְלִיתָם (מצאתי):
Of every finite thing To every conclusion of a thing there is an end and a boundary, but Your commandments have no end or boundary to their conclusion.
צ"ז
מָֽה־אָהַ֥בְתִּי תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ כָּל־הַ֝יּ֗וֹם הִ֣יא שִׂיחָתִֽי׃
97
O how I love Your teaching!
It is my study all day long.
97
MEM. O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
צ"ח
מֵ֭אֹ֣יְבַי תְּחַכְּמֵ֣נִי מִצְוֺתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם הִיא־לִֽי׃
98
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies;
they always stand by me.
98
Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me.
מֵאוֹיְבַי תְּחַכְּמֵנִי מִצְוֺתֶךָ. עַל דּוֹאֵג וַאֲחִיתֹפֶל אָמְרוּ, דְּלָא אָתְיָא לְהוּ שְׁמַעְתָּא אֲלִיבָּא דְהִלְכְתָא (סוטה כא.). לְעוֹלָם סוֹד הַתּוֹרָה בְּיָדִי, שֶׁכֵּן מִכָּל מְלַמְּדַי הִשְׂכַּלְתִּי. מִזֶּה לָמַדְתִּי קְצָת וּמִזֶּה לָמַדְתִּי קְצָת (לְאַחַר שֶׁלָּמַדְתִּי מֵרַבִּי מֻבְהָק):
Each of Your commandments makes me wiser than my enemies Concerning Doeg and Ahithophel they [the Rabbis] said that their final conclusions did not agree with adopted practice. The secret of the Torah is in my hands forever, for I gained understanding from all my teachers; I learned a little from this one and I learned a little from that one (after I learned from my distinguished teacher).
צ"ט
מִכָּל־מְלַמְּדַ֥י הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי כִּ֥י עֵ֝דְוֺתֶ֗יךָ שִׂ֣יחָה לִֽֿי׃
99
I have gained more insight than all my teachers,
for Your decrees are my study.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers; For Thy testimonies are my meditation.
שִׂיחָה לִי. כָּל שִׂיחָתִי הָיְתָה בָּם:
are my conversation All my conversation was about them.
ק׳
מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
100
I have gained more understanding than my elders,
for I observe Your precepts.
100
I understand more than mine elders, because I have keep Thy precepts.
ק"א
מִכָּל־אֹ֣רַח רָ֭ע כָּלִ֣אתִי רַגְלָ֑י לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃
101
I have avoided every evil way
so that I may keep Your word.
101
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, in order that I might observe Thy word.
כָּלִאתִי רַגְלָי. מָנַעְתִּי, כְּמוֹ ״אֲשֶׁר כְּלִיתִנִי הַיּוֹם מִבּוֹא בְדָמִים״ (שמואל א כה:לג):
I restrained my feet Heb. כלאתי, I restrained, as (I Sam. 25:33): “who have restrained me (כלתני) this day from coming into bloodshed.”
ק"ב
מִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לֹא־סָ֑רְתִּי כִּֽי־אַ֝תָּ֗ה הוֹרֵתָֽנִי׃
102
I have not departed from Your rules,
for You have instructed me.
102
I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances; For Thou hast instructed me.
ק"ג
מַה־נִּמְלְצ֣וּ לְ֭חִכִּי אִמְרָתֶ֗ךָ מִדְּבַ֥שׁ לְפִֽי׃
103
How pleasing is Your word to my palate,
sweeter than honey.
103
How sweet are Thy words unto my palate! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
ק"ד
מִפִּקּוּדֶ֥יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן שָׂנֵ֤אתִי ׀ כָּל־אֹ֬רַח שָֽׁקֶר׃
104
I ponder Your precepts;
therefore I hate every false way.
104
From Thy precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
ק"ה
נֵר־לְרַגְלִ֥י דְבָרֶ֑ךָ וְ֝א֗וֹר לִנְתִיבָתִֽי׃
105
Your word is a lamp to my feet,
a light for my path.
105
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
נֵר לְרַגְלִי דְבָרֶךָ. כְּשֶׁאֲנִי בָּא לְהוֹרוֹת הוֹרָאָה, אֲנִי רוֹאֶה בַּתּוֹרָה, וְהִיא מַפְרֶשֶׁת אוֹתִי מִן הָאִסּוּר כְּנֵר הַמַּצִּיל אֶת הָאָדָם מִן הַפְּחָתִים:
Your words are a lamp for my foot When I come to promulgate a decision of law, I look in the Torah and it separates me from [transgressing] the prohibition, like a lamp which saves a man from [falling into] the pits.
ק"ו
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי וָאֲקַיֵּ֑מָה לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
106
I have firmly sworn
to keep Your just rules.
106
I have sworn, and have confirmed it, To observe Thy righteous ordinances.
ק"ז
נַעֲנֵ֥יתִי עַד־מְאֹ֑ד יְ֝הוָ֗ה חַיֵּ֥נִי כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
107
I am very much afflicted;
O LORD, preserve me in accordance with Your word.
107
I am afflicted very much; Quicken me, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
נַעֲנֵיתִי. נַעֲשֵׂיתִי עָנִי וְשָׁפָל, כְּמוֹ ״לֵעָנוֹת מִפָּנַי״ (שמות י:ג), וְ״עָנָה גְאוֹן יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּפָנָיו״ (הושע ה:ה) תַּרְגּוּם יוֹנָתָן: ״וְיִמָּאךְ״. וְעָנִי חָשׁוּב כְּמֵת, לְפִיכָךְ חַיֵּנִי כִדְבָרֶךָ:
I have been... humbled Heb. נעניתי, I have been made poor and humble, like (Exod. 10): “to humble Yourself from before Me”; (Hos. 5:5), “And the pride of Israel shall be humbled before them,” which Jonathan renders: וימאךְ. And a poor man is accounted as dead. Therefore, revive me according to Your words.
נַעֲנֵיתִי. חֳלִי הוּא שֶׁמְּטָרֵף אֶת הַדַּעַת, וּשְׁמוֹ עֲנִיָּה בִּלְשׁוֹן מִשְׁנָה (חולין ס:):
I have been...humbled Heb. נעניתי. This is a sickness that deranges the mind, and it is called עֲוִית convulsion, in the language of the Mishnah (Chul. 60b).
ק"ח
נִדְב֣וֹת פִּ֭י רְצֵה־נָ֣א יְהוָ֑ה וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃
108
Accept, O LORD, my freewill offerings;
teach me Your rules.
108
Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Thine ordinances.
נִדְבוֹת פִּי. דָּבָר רָצוּי שֶׁפִּי מִתְנַדֵּב לְךָ, כָּל נְדָבָה לְשׁוֹן רָצוֹן הוּא:
The freewill offering of my mouth Words of appeasement that my mouth offers You. Every נדבה, is an expression of appeasement.
ק"ט
נַפְשִׁ֣י בְכַפִּ֣י תָמִ֑יד וְ֝תֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
109
Though my life is always in danger,
I do not neglect Your teaching.
109
My soul is continually in my hand; yet have I not forgotten Thy law.
נַפְשִׁי בְכַפִּי תָמִיד. הַרְבֵּה נִסְתַּכַּנְתִּי, בִּסְכָנוֹת רַבּוֹת קְרוֹבוֹת לְמִיתָה, וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵן אֲנִי תוֹרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי (על דרך חש בראשו יעסוק בתורה):
My soul is constantly in my hand I have very often been in serious danger, close to death, but nonetheless, I have not forgotten Your Torah (following the pattern of “Whoever has a headache should engage in the Torah”).
ק"י
נָתְנ֬וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים פַּ֣ח לִ֑י וּ֝מִפִּקּוּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א תָעִֽיתִי׃
110
Though the wicked have set a trap for me,
I have not strayed from Your precepts.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet went I not astray from Thy precepts.
קי"א
נָחַ֣לְתִּי עֵדְוֺתֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָ֑ם כִּֽי־שְׂשׂ֖וֹן לִבִּ֣י הֵֽמָּה׃
111
Your decrees are my eternal heritage;
they are my heart’s delight.
111
Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
קי"ב
נָטִ֣יתִי לִ֭בִּי לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת חֻקֶּ֗יךָ לְעוֹלָ֥ם עֵֽקֶב׃
112
I am resolved to follow Your laws
to the utmost forever.
112
I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes, for ever, at every step.
לְעוֹלָם עֵקֶב. עַל מַעְגְּלוֹתָם וְעַל נְתִיבוֹתָם:
forever on their paths On their paths and their roads.
קי"ג
סֵעֲפִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃
113
I hate men of divided heart,
but I love Your teaching.
113
SAMECH. I hate them that are of a double mind; but Thy law do I love.
סֵעֲפִים שָׂנֵאתִי. חוֹשְׁבֵי מַחְשְׁבוֹת אָוֶן, כְּמוֹ (איוב כ:ב) ״לָכֵן שְׂעִיפַי יְשִׁיבוּנִי״, (מלכים א יח:כא) ״עַל שְׁתֵּי הַסְּעִפִּים״. כְּשֶׁאַתָּה קוֹרֵא סְעִיפִים הוּא שֵׁם הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה, וּכְשֶׁאַתָּה קוֹרֵא סֵעֲפִים נוֹפֵל הַלָּשׁוֹן עַל הַחוֹשְׁבִים אוֹתָם:
I hate those who harbor iniquitous thoughts Those who think thoughts of iniquity, like (Job 20: 2): “Therefore, my thoughts (סעפי) answer me”; (I Kings 18:21), “between two ideas (הסעפים).” When you read סְעִפִים, it concerns the thought, but when you read סֵעֲפִים, the language refers to those who think it.
קי"ד
סִתְרִ֣י וּמָגִנִּ֣י אָ֑תָּה לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
114
You are my protection and my shield;
I hope for Your word.
114
Thou art my covert and my shield; in Thy word do I hope.
קט"ו
סֽוּרוּ־מִמֶּ֥נִּי מְרֵעִ֑ים וְ֝אֶצְּרָ֗ה מִצְוֺ֥ת אֱלֹהָֽי׃
115
Keep away from me, you evildoers,
that I may observe the commandments of my God.
115
Depart from me, ye evildoers; that I may keep the commandments of my God.
קט"ז
סָמְכֵ֣נִי כְאִמְרָתְךָ֣ וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה וְאַל־תְּ֝בִישֵׁ֗נִי מִשִּׂבְרִֽי׃
116
Support me as You promised, so that I may live;
do not thwart my expectation.
116
Uphold me according unto Thy word, that I may live; and put me not to shame in my hope.
קי"ז
סְעָדֵ֥נִי וְאִוָּשֵׁ֑עָה וְאֶשְׁעָ֖ה בְחֻקֶּ֣יךָ תָמִֽיד׃
117
Sustain me that I may be saved,
and I will always muse upon Your laws.
117
Support Thou me, and I shall be saved; and I will occupy myself with Thy statutes continually.
וְאֶשְׁעָה בְחֻקֶּיךָ. וְאֶתְעַסֵּק, כְּמוֹ ״וְאַל יִשְׁעוּ בְּדִבְרֵי שָׁקֶר״ (שמות ה:ט). דָּבָר אַחֵר: וְאֶשְׁעָה לְשׁוֹן סִפּוּר וְשִׁנּוּן, כְּדִמְתַרְגְּמִינָן ״וְלִשְׁנִינָה״ (דברים כח:לז): ״וּלְשׁוֹעִין״ (תרגום אונקלוס):
and I shall constantly engage in Your statutes Heb. ואשעה, and I shall engage, like (Exod. 5: 9): “and let them not engage (ישעו) in useless things.” Another explanation: [It is] an expression of telling and reciting, as we translate (Deut. 28:37): “and a recitation (ולשועין).”
קי"ח
סָ֭לִיתָ כָּל־שׁוֹגִ֣ים מֵחֻקֶּ֑יךָ כִּי־שֶׁ֝֗קֶר תַּרְמִיתָֽם׃
118
You reject all who stray from Your laws,
for they are false and deceitful.
118
Thou hast made light of all them that err from Thy statutes; for their deceit is vain.
סָלִיתָ. רָמַסְתָּ, נְתַתָּם לְמִרְמָס, כְּמוֹ ״סִלָּה כָּל אַבִּירַי ה׳״ (איכה א:טו):
You trampled Heb. סלית, You trampled; You made them a thing trampled on, like (Lam. 1: 15): “The Lord trampled (סלה) all my mighty men.”
קי"ט
סִגִ֗ים הִשְׁבַּ֥תָּ כָל־רִשְׁעֵי־אָ֑רֶץ לָ֝כֵ֗ן אָהַ֥בְתִּי עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
119
You do away with the wicked as if they were dross;
rightly do I love Your decrees.
119
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Thy testimonies.
ק"כ
סָמַ֣ר מִפַּחְדְּךָ֣ בְשָׂרִ֑י וּֽמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ יָרֵֽאתִי׃
120
My flesh creeps from fear of You;
I am in awe of Your rulings.
120
My flesh shuddereth for fear of Thee; And I am afraid of Thy judgments.
סָמַר. כְּמוֹ (איוב ד:טו) ״תְּסַמֵּר שַׂעֲרַת בְּשָׂרִי״, כְּאָדָם שֶׁעָמְדוּ שַׂעֲרוֹתָיו. הִירִיצִיי״ר בְּלַעַ״ז:
bristles Heb. סמר, like (Job 4:15): “it made the hair of my flesh stand on end (מסמר),” as a person whose hair stands on end, harizer in Old French, se herisser in modern French, to bristle.
וּמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶיךָ יָרֵאתִי. מִפֻּרְעָנוּת גְּזֵרוֹתֶיךָ:
and I dread Your judgments The retribution for Your decrees.
קכ"א
עָ֭שִׂיתִי מִשְׁפָּ֣ט וָצֶ֑דֶק בַּל־תַּ֝נִּיחֵ֗נִי לְעֹֽשְׁקָֽי׃
121
I have done what is just and right;
do not abandon me to those who would wrong me.
121
AIN. I have done justice and righteousness; Leave me not to mine oppressors.
קכ"ב
עֲרֹ֣ב עַבְדְּךָ֣ לְט֑וֹב אַֽל־יַעַשְׁקֻ֥נִי זֵדִֽים׃
122
Guarantee Your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant wrong me.
122
Be surety for Thy servant for good; Let not the proud oppress me.
עֲרֹב עַבְדְּךָ. לְשׁוֹן הַצָּלָה, גרנטיי״ה בְּלַעַ״ז. הֱיֵה עָרֵב בִּשְׁבִילִי לְנֶגֶד הָרָעָה (כְּלוֹמַר הָיָה עָרֵב שֶׁאֶשְׁמֹר פְּקוּדֶיךָ):
Be surety Heb. ערב, garantis in French, to vouch for. Be a guarantor for me against the evil (i.e., be a guarantor that I keep Your precepts).
קכ"ג
עֵ֭ינַי כָּל֣וּ לִֽישׁוּעָתֶ֑ךָ וּלְאִמְרַ֥ת צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
123
My eyes pine away for Your deliverance,
for Your promise of victory.
123
Mine eyes fail for Thy salvation, and for Thy righteous word.
וּלְאִמְרַת צִדְקֶךָ. הַבְטָחָה שֶׁהִבְטַחְתַּנִי:
and for the word of Your righteousness The promise that You promised me.
קכ"ד
עֲשֵׂ֖ה עִם־עַבְדְּךָ֥ כְחַסְדֶּ֗ךָ וְחֻקֶּ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃
124
Deal with Your servant as befits Your steadfast love;
teach me Your laws.
124
Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.
קכ"ה
עַבְדְּךָ־אָ֥נִי הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
125
I am Your servant;
give me understanding,
that I might know Your decrees.
125
I am Thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.
קכ"ו
עֵ֭ת לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לַיהוָ֑ה הֵ֝פֵ֗רוּ תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
126
It is a time to act for the LORD,
for they have violated Your teaching.
126
It is time for the LORD to work; They have made void Thy law.
עֵת לַעֲשׂוֹת לַה׳ וְגוֹ׳. מוּסָב עַל מִקְרָא שֶׁלְּפָנָיו הֲבִינֵנִי וְאֵדְעָה עֵדוֹתֶיךָ, לְהָבִין עֵת לַעֲשׂוֹת לְשִׁמְךָ, אֵיךְ יַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם שֶׁהֵפֵרוּ תוֹרָתֶךָ לִמְצֹא רָצוֹן וּסְלִיחָה וְתִמָּצֵא לָהֶם, וְאֶעֱשֶׂה כֵּן עַל כָּל עֲבֵירָה שֶׁבְּיָדִי. וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ דָּרְשׁוּ מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁעוֹבְרִין עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת סְיָג וְגָדֵר לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּגוֹן גִּדְעוֹן וְאֵלִיָּה בְּהַר הַכַּרְמֶל שֶׁהִקְרִיבוּ בַּבָּמָה (ברכות סג.). עוֹד רָאִיתִי נִדְרָשׁ בָּאַגָּדָה (ירושלמי ברכות ט:ד, מדרש שמואל א:א) פֵּרוּשׁ: אִישׁ פָּנוּי וְטַיְלָן הָעוֹשֶׂה תוֹרָתוֹ עִתִּים מֵפֵר בְּרִית, שֶׁאָדָם (פָּנוּי) צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת יָגֵעַ בַּתּוֹרָה כָּל שָׁעוֹת הַיּוֹם:
A time to do for the Lord, etc. This goes back to the verse preceding it: Enable me to understand, and I shall know Your testimonies, to know a time to do for Your name. What should they do, those who made Your Torah void, to find good will and forgiveness, and that You should be found by them, and I will do so for every transgression that I have committed. Our Rabbis, however, derived from it [from this verse] that we may transgress the words of the Torah in order to make a fence and a wall [a safeguard] for Israel, e.g. Gideon and Elijah on Mount Carmel, who sacrificed on high places (Ber. 63a). I saw [it] further expounded upon in the Aggadah (Yerushalmi Ber. 9:4, Mid. Sam 1:1) as meaning: A person who is idle and leisurely, who devotes [only occasional] times to his Torah, makes void the covenant, for an idle person must toil in the Torah all hours of the day.
קכ"ז
עַל־כֵּ֭ן אָהַ֣בְתִּי מִצְוֺתֶ֑יךָ מִזָּהָ֥ב וּמִפָּֽז׃
127
Rightly do I love Your commandments
more than gold, even fine gold.
127
Therefore I love Thy commandments Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
עַל כֵּן אָהַבְתִּי. עַל אֲשֶׁר אָהַבְתִּי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ רָאוּי לְךָ לְלַמְּדֵנִי עֵת רָצוֹן וּמָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לְךָ וְתִרְצֵנִי. יֵשׁ עַל כֵּן הַרְבֵּה שֶׁפִּתְרוֹנוֹ עַל אֲשֶׁר, כְּמוֹ ״כִּי עַל כֵּן רָאִיתִי פָנֶיךָ״ (בראשית לג:י), ״כִּי עַל כֵּן יָדַעְתָּ חֲנֹתֵנוּ״ (במדבר י:לא), ״עַל כֵּן יִתְרָה עָשָׂה״ (ישעיהו טו:ז):
Because I loved Heb. על-כן. Because I loved Your commandments, it is fitting that You teach me a time of good will, and what I should do for You that You should accept me. There are many [instances of] על-כן that are to be interpreted as “because”; e.g., (Gen. 33:10): “because (כי על-כן) I have seen your face”; (Num. 10:33). “because (כי על-כן) you know our encampment”; (Isa. 15: 7), “Because of (כי על-כן) the many things they did.”
קכ"ח
עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ כָּל־פִּקּ֣וּדֵי כֹ֣ל יִשָּׁ֑רְתִּי כָּל־אֹ֖רַח שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂנֵֽאתִי׃
128
Truly by all [Your] precepts I walk straight;
I hate every false way.
128
Therefore I esteem all [Thy] precepts concerning all things to be right; Every false way I hate.
כָּל פִּקּוּדֵי כֹל יִשָּׁרְתִּי. כָּל פִּקּוּדֵי – כָּל דָּבָר אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתָ בְּתוֹרָתֶךָ:
Because I considered all precepts of all things upright All precepts, everything that You commanded in your Torah.
יִשָּׁרְתִּי. יָשְׁרוּ בְּעֵינַי, וְאָמַרְתִּי עֲלֵיהֶם: יָשְׁרוּ. כָּל זֶה כְּדַאי אֲנִי שֶׁתִּמְחוֹל וְתִרְצֶה לִי:
I considered upright Heb. ישרתי. They were upright in my eyes, and I said about them that they are upright. Because of this, I deserve that You forgive me and favor me.
קכ"ט
פְּלָא֥וֹת עֵדְוֺתֶ֑יךָ עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן נְצָרָ֥תַם נַפְשִֽׁי׃
129
Your decrees are wondrous;
rightly do I observe them.
129
PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.
פְּלָאוֹת עֵדְוֺתֶיךָ. מְכֻסִּים הֵם וְנִפְלָאִים עֵדְוֺתֶיךָ מִבְּנֵי אָדָם. יֵשׁ מִצְווֹת קַלּוֹת שֶׁהִרְבֵּיתָ בְּמַתַּן שְׂכָרָן, כְּגוֹן שִׁלּוּחַ הַקֵּן (דברים כב:ו-ז):
Your testimonies are hidden They are covered, and your testimonies are hidden from the sons of men. There are easy commandments for which He gave a large reward, such as sending away the nest.
עַל כֵּן נְצָרָתַם נַפְשִׁי. כֻּלָּם, כִּי לֹא נוֹדַע אֵיזֶה יִכְשַׁר (קהלת יא:ו):
therefore, my soul kept them All of them, because it is not known which is better.
ק"ל
פֵּ֖תַח דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ יָאִ֗יר מֵבִ֥ין פְּתָיִֽים׃
130
The words You inscribed give light,
and grant understanding to the simple.
130
The opening of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
פֵּתַח דְּבָרֶיךָ יָאִיר. תְּחִלַּת דְּבָרֶיךָ הֵאִירוּ אֶת לֵב יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁאַתָּה הַמֵּבִין פְּתָיִים בְּאָמְרְךָ (שמות כ:ב) ״אָנֹכִי אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ״, הוֹדַעְתָּם בַּטּוֹבָה שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לָהֶם, שֶׁקְּנִיתָם מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים לָדַעַת כִּי אָדוֹן אַתָּה לָהֶם וִיקַבְּלוּ אֱלֹהוּתְךָ עֲלֵיהֶם, ״לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים וְגוֹ׳״, וְאַחַר כָּךְ גָּזַרְתָּ גְּזֵרוֹתֶיךָ. דָּבָר אַחֵר: פֵּתַח דְּבָרֶיךָ יָאִיר תְּחִלַּת דְּבָרֶיךָ בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית (בראשית א:ג) ״יְהִי אוֹר״:
The commencement of Your words enlightens The beginning of your words enlightened the heart of Israel, that You understated the simple, by Your statement (Exod. 20:2): “I am...Who took you out.” You let them know the favor that You did for them—that You acquired them from the house of bondageto know that You are their Master, and they should accept Your kingdom upon themselves. (Exod. 20:3): “You shall not have another god, etc.” and afterwards You made Your decrees (Cf. Mechilta ad loc.). Another explanation: The commencement of Your words enlightens The beginning of Your words in the Creation was (Gen. 1:3): “Let there be light.”
מֵבִין פְּתָיִים. מִשָּׁם יָבִינוּ הַכֹּל וְיִפְתְּחוּ (לְהַתְחִיל וְלִפְתֹּחַ) בְּדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה, תַּנְחוּמָא (תנחומא, ויקהל ו):
You make the simple understand From there, everyone will understand and will commence with words of Torah. Tanchuma (Vayakhel 6).
קל"א
פִּֽי־פָ֭עַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָה כִּ֖י לְמִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ יָאָֽבְתִּי׃
131
I open my mouth wide, I pant,
longing for Your commandments.
131
I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for Thy commandments.
וָאֶשְׁאָפָה. לְשׁוֹן בְּלִיעָה, כְּמוֹ ״שָׁאֲפָה רוּחַ״ (ירמיהו ב:כד):
and panted Heb. ואשאפה, an expression of swallowing, as (Jer. 2:24): “snuffs up (שאפה) the wind.”
קל"ב
פְּנֵה־אֵלַ֥י וְחָנֵּ֑נִי כְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט לְאֹהֲבֵ֥י שְׁמֶֽךָ׃
132
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is Your rule with those who love Your name.
132
Turn Thee towards me, and be gracious unto me, As is Thy wont to do unto those that love Thy name.
קל"ג
פְּ֭עָמַי הָכֵ֣ן בְּאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ וְֽאַל־תַּשְׁלֶט־בִּ֥י כָל־אָֽוֶן׃
133
Make my feet firm through Your promise;
do not let iniquity dominate me.
133
Order my footsteps by Thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
קל"ד
פְּ֭דֵנִי מֵעֹ֣שֶׁק אָדָ֑ם וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
134
Redeem me from being wronged by man,
that I may keep Your precepts.
134
Redeem me from the oppression of man, And I will observe Thy precepts.
פְּדֵנִי מֵעֹשֶׁק אָדָם. מִיֵּצֶר הָרָע הָעוֹשֵׁק אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת. בְּפֵרוּשִׁים אֲחֵרִים מָצָאתִי פְּדֵנִי מֵעֹשֶׁק אָדָם, פְּדֵנִי מֵעוֹשְׁקוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם:
Redeem me from the oppression of man From the evil inclination, which oppresses the people (from the good path—Parshandatha). In other commentaries I found: Redeem me from the oppression of man Redeem me so that no man oppress me.
קל"ה
פָּ֭נֶיךָ הָאֵ֣ר בְּעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝לַמְּדֵ֗נִי אֶת־חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
135
Show favor to Your servant,
and teach me Your laws.
135
Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; And teach me Thy statutes.
קל"ו
פַּלְגֵי־מַ֭יִם יָרְד֣וּ עֵינָ֑י עַ֝֗ל לֹא־שָׁמְר֥וּ תוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
136
My eyes shed streams of water
because men do not obey Your teaching.
136
Mine eyes run down with rivers of water, Because they observe not Thy law.
קל"ז
צַדִּ֣יק אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְ֝יָשָׁ֗ר מִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ׃
137
You are righteous, O LORD;
Your rulings are just.
137
TZADE. Righteous art Thou, O LORD, And upright are Thy judgments.
קל"ח
צִ֭וִּיתָ צֶ֣דֶק עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וֶֽאֱמוּנָ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
138
You have ordained righteous decrees;
they are firmly enduring.
138
Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.
קל"ט
צִמְּתַ֥תְנִי קִנְאָתִ֑י כִּֽי־שָׁכְח֖וּ דְבָרֶ֣יךָ צָרָֽי׃
139
I am consumed with rage
over my foes’ neglect of Your words.
139
My zeal hath undone me, because mine adversaries have forgotten Thy words.
צִמְּתַתְנִי קִנְאָתִי. הַקִּנְאָה שֶׁאֲנִי מְקַנֵּא לְשִׁמְךָ עַל הַשּׁוֹכְחֵי דְבָרֶיךָ, הִיא צוֹמְתָה אוֹתִי וּמַקְנֶטֶת אוֹתִי בָּהֶם (מצאתי):
My zeal incenses me Heb. קנאתי. The zeal with which I am zealous for Your name against those who forget Your words, cuts me and incenses me against them.
ק"מ
צְרוּפָ֖ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ מְאֹ֗ד וְֽעַבְדְּךָ֥ אֲהֵבָֽהּ׃
140
Your word is exceedingly pure,
and Your servant loves it.
140
Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and Thy servant loveth it.
קמ"א
צָעִ֣יר אָנֹכִ֣י וְנִבְזֶ֑ה פִּ֝קֻּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
141
Though I am belittled and despised,
I have not neglected Your precepts.
141
I am small and despised; yet have I not forgotten Thy precepts.
צָעִיר אָנֹכִי וְנִבְזֶה. כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר ״וְדָוִד הוּא הַקָּטָן״ (שמואל א יז:יד), נִבְזֶה אֲנִי לְהַקְטִין עַצְמִי אֵצֶל עוֹסְקֵי תוֹרָה לְהִתְלַמֵּד, כִּי פִּקֻּדֶיךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי מִלְּסַלְסֵל וּמִלְּפַלְפֵּל בָּהֶם בְּצִדְקָתְךָ שֶׁבְּתוֹכָן צֶדֶק וֶאֱמֶת עוֹלָמִית, וְאַף כִּי מְצָאוּנִי צָרוֹת הָיוּ הֵם עִסְקִי, וּלְעוֹלָם הֲבִינֵנִי צִדְקָם וְאֶחְיֶה בָהֶם ״כִּי הִיא חַיֶּיךָ וְגוֹמֵר״ (דברים ל:כ):
I am young and despised As it is stated (I Sam. 17:14): “And David was the youngest.” I am despised to the extent that I humble myself beside those who engage in the Torah, to learn, for I have not forgotten Your precepts; [nor have I refrained] from searching and debating with them about Your righteousness that is within them [the precepts], which is righteousness and truth to eternity; and even though troubles have befallen me, they were my occupation. And forever enable me to understand their righteousness and I shall live by them (Deut. 30:20): “for it [the Torah] is your life and the length of your days.”
קמ"ב
צִדְקָתְךָ֣ צֶ֣דֶק לְעוֹלָ֑ם וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אֱמֶֽת׃
142
Your righteousness is eternal;
Your teaching is true.
142
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth.
קמ"ג
צַר־וּמָצ֥וֹק מְצָא֑וּנִי מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃
143
Though anguish and distress come upon me,
Your commandments are my delight.
143
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me; yet Thy commandments are my delight.
קמ"ד
צֶ֖דֶק עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ לְעוֹלָ֗ם הֲבִינֵ֥נִי וְאֶחְיֶֽה׃
144
Your righteous decrees are eternal;
give me understanding, that I might live.
144
Thy testimonies are righteous for ever; give me understanding, and I shall live.
קמ"ה
קָרָ֣אתִי בְכָל־לֵ֭ב עֲנֵ֥נִי יְהוָ֗ה חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶצֹּֽרָה׃
145
I call with all my heart;
answer me, O LORD,
that I may observe Your laws.
145
KOPH. I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD; I will keep Thy statutes.
קמ"ו
קְרָאתִ֥יךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
146
I call upon You; save me,
that I may keep Your decrees.
146
I have called Thee, save me, and I will observe Thy testimonies.
(הַסִּימָן שֶׁל עֵדֹתֶיךָ דָּמָה בֶּן פֶּרֶ״ץ, הַוָּי״ו חוֹלָם, אֲבָל מִשְּׁאָר עֵדֹתֶיךָ הַדָּלֶ״ת חוֹלָם):
and I shall keep (The acronym of, עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ is דמה בן פֶרֶץ ; the “vav” is vowelized with a “holam,” but in the other instances, it is עֵדֹתֶיךָ ; the “daleth” is vowelized with a “holam.”)
קמ"ז
קִדַּ֣מְתִּי בַ֭נֶּשֶׁף וָאֲשַׁוֵּ֑עָה לדבריך [לִדְבָרְךָ֥] יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
147
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope for Your word.
147
I rose early at dawn, and cried; I hoped in Thy word.
קמ"ח
קִדְּמ֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת לָ֝שִׂ֗יחַ בְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃
148
My eyes greet each watch of the night,
as I meditate on Your promise.
148
Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, that I might meditate in Thy word.
אַשְׁמֻרוֹת. חֲצִי הַלַּיְלָה, שְׁתֵּי אַשְׁמוּרוֹת (איכה רבה ב:כב); וּלְדִבְרֵי הָאוֹמֵר (איכה רבה ב:כב) ׳שָׁלֹשׁ מִשְׁמָרוֹת הֲוֵי לַיְלָה׳, הָיָה דָּוִד עוֹמֵד מִמִּטָּתוֹ בִּשְׁלִישׁ הַלַּיְלָה הָרִאשׁוֹנָה וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה עַד חֲצוֹת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: לָשִׂיחַ בְּאִמְרָתֶךָ, וּמֵחֲצוֹת וּלְהַלָּן עוֹסֵק בְּשִׁירוֹת וְתוּשְׁבָּחוֹת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר חֲצוֹת לַיְלָה אָקוּם לְהוֹדוֹת לָךְ:
watches Half the night, two watches, and according to one who says that the night consists of three watches, David would rise from bed at the first third of the night and engage in Torah until midnight, as it is said: “to speak of Your word.” From midnight on, he would engage in songs and praises, as it is said (verse 62): “At midnight, I rise to give thanks to You.”
קמ"ט
ק֭וֹלִי שִׁמְעָ֣ה כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ יְ֝הוָ֗ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
149
Hear my voice as befits Your steadfast love;
O LORD, preserve me, as is Your rule.
149
Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness; Quicken me, O LORD, as Thou art wont.
ק"נ
קָ֭רְבוּ רֹדְפֵ֣י זִמָּ֑ה מִתּוֹרָתְךָ֥ רָחָֽקוּ׃
150
Those who pursue intrigue draw near;
they are far from Your teaching.
150
They draw nigh that follow after wickedness; they are far from Thy law.
קָרְבוּ רוֹדְפֵי זִמָּה. עֲצַת חַטָּאִים הוֹלְכִים בַּעֲצַת חַטָּאֵיהֶם, וּמִתְרַחֲקִים מִתּוֹרָתְךָ לִקָּרֵב אֶל עֲצַת רָעָתָם:
Pursuers of lewdness have drawn near a counsel of sins. They follow the counsel of their sins and distance themselves from your Torah to draw near to the counsel of their evil.
קנ"א
קָר֣וֹב אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְֽכָל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמֶֽת׃
151
You, O LORD, are near,
and all Your commandments are true.
151
Thou art nigh, O LORD; and all Thy commandments are truth.
קָרוֹב אַתָּה. לָרְחוֹקִים הַלָּלוּ הַמִּתְרַחֲקִים מִתּוֹרָתֶךָ, אִם יָשׁוּבוּ מִדַּרְכָּם:
You are near to these faraway people, who distance themselves from Your Torah, if they repent of their way.
קנ"ב
קֶ֣דֶם יָ֭דַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְסַדְתָּֽם׃
152
I know from Your decrees of old
that You have established them forever.
152
Of old have I known from Thy testimonies that Thou hast founded them for ever.
קֶדֶם יָדַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶיךָ. קוֹדֶם הֱיוֹת הַדָּבָר יְדַעְתִּיו מִתּוֹךְ עֵדֹתֶיךָ: קֹדֶם יָרְשׁוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ צִוִּיתָ לָהֶם עַל הַבִּכּוּרִים וּתְרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת, וְקֹדֶם הֲנִיחוֹת לָהֶם מֵאוֹיְבֵיהֶם צִוִּיתָ לָהֶם ״וְהָיָה בְּהָנִיחַ ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ וְגוֹ׳״ (דברים כה:יט) לְהַעֲמִיד מֶלֶךְ וּלְהַכְרִית עֲמָלֵק וְלִבְנוֹת בֵּית הַבְּחִירָה (סנהדרין כ:):
From before, I knew from Your testimonies Before the thing came about, I knew it from Your testimonies. Before they inherited the land, You commanded them about the first fruits, heave offerings, and tithes, and before You gave them rest from their enemies, You commanded them (Deut. 25:19): “And it will be, when the Lord Your God gives you rest, etc.” to appoint a king, to annihilate Amalek, and to build the Temple.
כִּי לְעוֹלָם יְסַדְתָּם. כִּי עַל כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָעֲתִידִים לִהְיוֹת לְסוֹף הָעוֹלָם יִסַּדְתָּ עֵדוֹתֶיךָ:
to the world For You established Your testimonies concerning all things destined to be until the end of the world.
קנ"ג
רְאֵֽה־עָנְיִ֥י וְחַלְּצֵ֑נִי כִּי־תֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
153
See my affliction and rescue me,
for I have not neglected Your teaching.
153
RESH. O see mine affliction, and rescue me; For I do not forget Thy law.
קנ"ד
רִיבָ֣ה רִ֭יבִי וּגְאָלֵ֑נִי לְאִמְרָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
154
Champion my cause and redeem me;
preserve me according to Your promise.
154
Plead Thou my cause, and redeem me; Quicken me according to Thy word.
קנ"ה
רָח֣וֹק מֵרְשָׁעִ֣ים יְשׁוּעָ֑ה כִּֽי־חֻ֝קֶּיךָ לֹ֣א דָרָֽשׁוּ׃
155
Deliverance is far from the wicked,
for they have not turned to Your laws.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked; For they seek not Thy statutes.
קנ"ו
רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ רַבִּ֥ים ׀ יְהוָ֑ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
156
Your mercies are great, O LORD;
as is Your rule, preserve me.
156
Great are Thy compassions, O LORD; Quicken me as Thou art wont.
קנ"ז
רַ֭בִּים רֹדְפַ֣י וְצָרָ֑י מֵ֝עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃
157
Many are my persecutors and foes;
I have not swerved from Your decrees.
157
Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; Yet have I not turned aside from Thy testimonies.
קנ"ח
רָאִ֣יתִי בֹ֭גְדִים וָֽאֶתְקוֹטָ֑טָה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִ֝מְרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃
158
I have seen traitors and loathed them,
because they did not keep Your word in mind.
158
I beheld them that were faithless, and strove with them; Because they observed not Thy word.
קנ"ט
רְ֭אֵה כִּי־פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ אָהָ֑בְתִּי יְ֝הוָ֗ה כְּֽחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
159
See that I have loved Your precepts;
O LORD, preserve me, as befits Your steadfast love.
159
O see how I love Thy precepts; Quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness.
ק"ס
רֹאשׁ־דְּבָרְךָ֥ אֱמֶ֑ת וּ֝לְעוֹלָ֗ם כָּל־מִשְׁפַּ֥ט צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
160
Truth is the essence of Your word;
Your just rules are eternal.
160
The beginning of Thy word is truth; And all Thy righteous ordinance endureth for ever.
רֹאשׁ דְּבָרְךָ אֱמֶת. סוֹף דְּבָרְךָ הוֹכִיחַ עַל הָרֹאשׁ שֶׁהוּא אֱמֶת, שֶׁכְּשֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ הָאֻמּוֹת ״אָנֹכִי״ וְ״לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ״ וְ״לֹא תִשָּׂא״ (שמות כ:ב-ז) אָמְרוּ: הַכֹּל לַהֲנָאָתוֹ וְלִכְבוֹדוֹ. כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ ״כַּבֵּד״, ״לֹא תִרְצַח״, ״לֹא תִנְאָף״ (שמות כ:יב-יג), הוֹדוּ עַל רֹאשׁ דְּבָרְךָ שֶׁהוּא אֱמֶת (קידושין לא.):
The beginning of Your word is true And the end of Your word is not true? Rather, the end of Your word proves that the beginning of Your word is true. For, when the nations heard, “I am the Lord your God,” and “You shall not have [another god],” and “You shall not take, etc.,” they said, “Everything is for His benefit and for His glory.” As soon as they heard, “Honor, etc.; You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery,” they admitted [that they had erred] about the beginning of Your word, that it is true.
קס"א
שָׂ֭רִים רְדָפ֣וּנִי חִנָּ֑ם ומדבריך [וּ֝מִדְּבָרְךָ֗] פָּחַ֥ד לִבִּֽי׃
161
Princes have persecuted me without reason;
my heart thrills at Your word.
161
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of Thy words.
קס"ב
שָׂ֣שׂ אָ֭נֹכִֽי עַל־אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כְּ֝מוֹצֵ֗א שָׁלָ֥ל רָֽב׃
162
I rejoice over Your promise
as one who obtains great spoil.
162
I rejoice at Thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.
שָׂשׂ אָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרָתֶךָ. עַל הַבְטָחָתְךָ שֶׁהִבְטַחְתַּנִי. דָּבָר אַחֵר: עַל אַחַת מֵאִמְרוֹתֶיךָ הַסְּתוּמוֹת, כְּשֶׁאֲנִי מֵבִין בָּהּ. וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ דָּרְשׁוּ עַל הַמִּילָה (מנחות מג:): שֶׁהָיָה דָוִד בְּבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ וְרָאָה עַצְמוֹ בְּלֹא צִיצִית וּבְלֹא תְּפִילִּין וּבְלֹא תּוֹרָה, אָמַר: אוֹי לִי שֶׁאֲנִי עָרוֹם מִכָּל מִצְווֹת. כֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּסְתַּכֵּל בַּמִּילָה שָׂמַח, וְאָמַר בְּצֵאתוֹ (מִבֵּית הַמֶּרְחָץ): שָׂשׂ אָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרָתֶךָ, הַמִּילָה שֶׁמִּתְּחִלָּה נִתְּנָה בְּמַאֲמָר וְלֹא בְדִבּוּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית יז:ט): ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל אַבְרָהָם וְאַתָּה אֶת בְּרִיתִי תִשְׁמֹר״:
I rejoice over Your word Over Your promise that You promised me. Another explanation: Over one of Your enigmatic statements, when I understand it. Our Rabbis, however, interpreted it as referring to circumcision, for [when] David was in the bathhouse and saw himself without zizith, without tefillin, and without Torah, he said, “Woe is to me, for I am naked of all commandments.” As soon as he thought of the circumcision, he rejoiced and said when he emerged (from the bathhouse), “I rejoice over Your word.” [This refers to] circumcision, which was first given with a saying (אמירה), and not with speaking (דיבור), as it is said (Gen. 17:9): “And God said (ויאמר) to Abraham, ‘And you shall keep My covenant.’”
קס"ג
שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂ֭נֵאתִי וַאֲתַעֵ֑בָה תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃
163
I hate and abhor falsehood;
I love Your teaching.
163
I hate and abhor falsehood; Thy law do I love. .
קס"ד
שֶׁ֣בַע בַּ֭יּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּ֑יךָ עַ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
164
I praise You seven times each day
for Your just rules.
164
Seven times a day do I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances.
שֶׁבַע בַּיּוֹם. שַׁחֲרִית שְׁתַּיִם לִפְנֵי קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע וְאַחַת לְאַחֲרֶיהָ, וּבָעֶרֶב שְׁתַּיִם לְפָנֶיהָ וּשְׁתַּיִם לְאַחֲרֶיהָ (ברכות יא:):
Seven times a day In the morning, twice before the reading of “Shema” and once after it, and in the evening, twice before it and twice after it.
עַל מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ. עַל קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע שֶׁהִיא דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה (ברכות כא.):
for Your righteous judgments For the reading of the Shema, which consists of words of Torah.
קס"ה
שָׁל֣וֹם רָ֭ב לְאֹהֲבֵ֣י תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ וְאֵֽין־לָ֥מוֹ מִכְשֽׁוֹל׃
165
Those who love Your teaching enjoy well-being;
they encounter no adversity.
165
Great peace have they that love Thy law; And there is no stumbling for them.
קס"ו
שִׂבַּ֣רְתִּי לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וּֽמִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ עָשִֽׂיתִי׃
166
I hope for Your deliverance, O LORD;
I observe Your commandments.
166
I have hoped for Thy salvation, O LORD, And have done Thy commandments.
שִׂבַּרְתִּי. הוֹחַלְתִּי:
קס"ז
שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וָאֹהֲבֵ֥ם מְאֹֽד׃
167
I obey Your decrees
and love them greatly.
167
My soul hath observed Thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
קס"ח
שָׁמַ֣רְתִּי פִ֭קּוּדֶיךָ וְעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י כָל־דְּרָכַ֣י נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃
168
I obey Your precepts and decrees;
all my ways are before You.
168
I have observed Thy precepts and Thy testimonies; For all my ways are before Thee.
כָּל דְּרָכַי נֶגְדֶּךָ. אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ כָּל דְּרָכַי:
for all my ways are before You You know all my ways.
קס"ט
תִּקְרַ֤ב רִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֣יךָ יְהוָ֑ה כִּדְבָרְךָ֥ הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃
169
May my plea reach You, O LORD;
grant me understanding according to Your word.
169
TAV. Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Thy word.
כִּדְבָרְךָ הֲבִינֵנִי. דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָתְךָ כְּהִלְכָתָן וְכַהֲוָיָתָן:
according to Your word, enable me to understand the words of Your Torah; according to their law and in the order in which they stand.
ק"ע
תָּב֣וֹא תְּחִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ כְּ֝אִמְרָתְךָ֗ הַצִּילֵֽנִי׃
170
May my petition come before You;
save me in accordance with Your promise.
170
Let my supplication come before Thee; deliver me according to Thy word.
קע"א
תַּבַּ֣עְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י תְּהִלָּ֑ה כִּ֖י תְלַמְּדֵ֣נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
171
My lips shall pour forth praise,
for You teach me Your laws.
171
Let my lips utter praise: Because Thou teachest me Thy statutes.
תַּבַּעְנָה. תְּדַבֵּרְנָה:
will utter will speak.
קע"ב
תַּ֣עַן לְ֭שׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י כָל־מִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ צֶּֽדֶק׃
172
My tongue shall declare Your promise,
for all Your commandments are just.
172
Let my tongue sing of Thy word; For all Thy commandments are righteousness.
תַּעַן לְשׁוֹנִי. כָּל עֲנִיָּה לְשׁוֹן קוֹל רָם הוּא, וְאָב לְכֻלָּם ״וְעָנוּ הַלְוִיִּם וְאָמְרוּ״ (דברים כז:יד):
My tongue will proclaim Heb. תען. Every [expression of] עַנִיָה is an expression of a loud voice, and the “father” of them all is (Deut. 27:14): “And the Levites shall proclaim (וענו) and say [to all Israel with a loud voice].”
קע"ג
תְּהִֽי־יָדְךָ֥ לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃
173
Lend Your hand to help me,
for I have chosen Your precepts.
173
Let Thy hand be ready to help me; For I have chosen Thy precepts.
קע"ד
תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וְ֝תֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃
174
I have longed for Your deliverance, O LORD;
Your teaching is my delight.
174
I have longed for Thy salvation, O LORD; And Thy law is my delight.
קע"ה
תְּֽחִי־נַ֭פְשִׁי וּֽתְהַֽלְלֶ֑ךָּ וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ יַעֲזְרֻֽנִי׃
175
Let me live, that I may praise You;
may Your rules be my help;
175
Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee; And let Thine ordinances help me.
קע"ו
תָּעִ֗יתִי כְּשֶׂ֣ה אֹ֭בֵד בַּקֵּ֣שׁ עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֥י מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
176
I have strayed like a lost sheep;
search for Your servant,
for I have not neglected Your commandments.
176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; For I have not forgotten Thy commandments.