Psalm 119, along with others, belongs to the so-called “Songs of Ascension.” There are many variations of this name.
Some of them suggest that the songs were performed on the steps of the temple: each on a separate one. There are 15 Songs of Ascension in total, as well as the steps to the temple. And as they were performed, the singer rose higher and higher, to the temple gates.
According to another, it was believed that the word “ascent” meant raising the tone of the voice when singing Psalm 119.
Finally, one of the hypotheses states that the psalms of ascension (return) were sung by Jews returning from Babylonian captivity. At the same time, great meaning is attached to the performance: its performance helps a person to take the true path, increase his spiritual level, and “rise” above his previous state. It is better to read it in solitude in order to deeply feel every word and sow a fertile seed in your soul.
Text of prayer Psalm 119
In Church Slavonic with accents
The difference between the text of Psalm 119 is its small size. When ascending to the temple, it was performed by singers in Church Slavonic (Old Church Slavonic) language:
Song of degrees.
1 To the Lord, when I was in sorrow, I called, and he heard me.
2 Lord, deliver my soul from the walls of unrighteousness and from the tongue of flattery.
3 What will be given to you, or what will be added to your flattering tongue?
4 The arrows of the mighty are sharp, with coals of waste.
5 Woe to me, for my coming continues, having taken up residence in the village of Kedar.
6 My soul is a stranger in many ways; I make peace with those who hate:
7 I always spoke to them, Boryahu and Tune.
In Russian
For a better understanding of the essence, a deeper penetration into the soul of the person praying, Ps. 119 can be performed in solitude and read in Russian:
Song of Ascension.
1 I cried to the Lord in my affliction, and He heard me.
2 Lord! deliver my soul from lying lips, from an evil tongue.
3 What will the evil tongue give you and what will it add to you?
4 Sophisticated arrows of the strong, with burning coals of wood.
5 Woe to me, that I dwell with Mosoch, that I dwell at the tents of Kedar.
6 My soul lived long with those who hated the world.
7 I am peaceful: but as soon as I speak, they lead to war.
Bible Online
1(118-1) Blessed are those who are blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 (118-2) Blessed are those who keep His revelations, who seek Him with all their hearts.
3 (118-3) They do not commit iniquity, but walk in His ways.
4 (118-4) You commanded that Your commandments should be kept firmly.
5 (118-5) O that my ways would be directed to keep Your statutes!
6 (118-6) Then I would not be ashamed, considering all Your commandments:
7 (118-7) I would praise You in uprightness of heart, learning the judgments of Your righteousness.
8 (118-8) I will keep Your statutes; don't leave me completely.
9 (118-9) How can a young man keep his path pure? -By keeping yourself according to Your word.
10 (118-10) I seek You with all my heart; do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 (118-11) I have hidden Your word in my heart, so that I would not sin against You.
12 (118-12) Blessed are You, O Lord! teach me Your statutes.
13 (118-13) With my mouth I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
14 (118-14) In the way of Your revelations I rejoice, as in all riches.
15 (118-15) I meditate on Your commandments, and consider Your ways.
16 (118-16) I take comfort in Your statutes, I do not forget Your words.
17 (118-17) Show mercy to Your servant, and I will live and keep Your word.
18 (118-18) Open my eyes, and I will see the wonders of Your law.
19 (118-19) I am a wanderer on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 (118-20) My soul is weary of the desire of Thy judgments at all times.
21 (118-21) You have subdued the proud, the cursed, those who turn away from Your commandments.
22 (118-22) Take away from me reproach and shame, for I keep Your testimonies.
23 (118-23) Princes sit and conspire against me, and Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 (118-24) Your testimonies are my comfort and my advisors.
25 (118-25) My soul is cast into the dust; quicken me according to Your word.
26 (118-26) I declared my ways, and You heard me; teach me Your statutes.
27 (118-27) Grant me to understand the way of Your commandments, and I will meditate on Your wonders.
28 (118-28) My soul faints with sorrow: strengthen me according to Your word.
29 (118-29) Remove from me the way of lies, and grant me Your law.
30 (118-30) I have chosen the path of truth, I have set Your judgments before me.
31 (118-31) I have cleave to Your testimonies, O Lord; don't shame me.
32 (118-32) I will flow in the way of Your commandments when You enlarge my heart.
33 (118-33) Show me, O Lord, the path of Your statutes, and I will adhere to it to the end.
34 (118-34) Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and keep it with all my heart.
35 (118-35) Place me in the path of Your commandments, for I have desired it.
36 (118-36) Incline my heart to Your revelations, and not to self-interest.
37 (118-37) Turn away my eyes, so as not to see vanity; quicken me in Your path.
38 (118-38) Establish Thy word unto Thy servant, for the sake of reverence before Thee.
39 (118-39) Turn away my reproach, which I fear, for Your judgments are good.
40 (118-40) Behold, I have desired Your commandments; quicken me with Your righteousness.
41 (118-41) May Thy mercies come to me, O Lord, Thy salvation according to Thy word,
42 (118-42) and I will give an answer to him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.
43 (118-43) Do not take the words of truth completely from my mouth, for I trust in Your judgments
44 (118-44) And I will keep Your law always, for ever and ever;
45 (118-45) I will walk freely, for I have sought Your commandments;
46 (118-46) I will speak of Your testimonies before kings and will not be ashamed;
47 (118-47) I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I have loved;
48 (118-48) I will stretch out my hands to Your commandments, which I have loved, and meditate on Your statutes.
49 (118-49) Remember Your word to Your servant, in which You commanded me to trust:
50 (118-50) This is consolation in my distress, that Your word gives me life.
51 (118-51) The proud mocked me exceedingly, but I did not turn away from Your law.
52 (118-52) I remembered Your judgments, O Lord, from all eternity, and was comforted.
53 (118-53) Horror takes possession of me at the sight of the wicked who forsake Thy law.
54 (118-54) Your statutes were my songs in the place of my wanderings.
55 (118-55) At night I remembered Your name, O Lord, and kept Your law.
56 (118-56) He became mine, for I keep Your commandments.
57 (118-57) My destiny, O Lord, I said, is to keep Your words.
58 (118-58) I prayed to You with all my heart: have mercy on me according to Your word.
59 (118-59) I pondered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.
60 (118-60) I hastened and was not slow to keep Your commandments.
61 (118-61) The snares of the wicked have surrounded me, but I have not forgotten Your law.
62 (118-62) At midnight I rose to praise You for Your righteous judgments.
63 (118-63) I am a companion to all those who fear You and keep Your commandments.
64 (118-64) The earth is full of Your mercy, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
65 (118-65) Thou hast done good to Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word.
66 (118-66) Teach me good understanding and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
67 (118-67) Before my suffering I was mistaken; and now I keep Your word.
68 (118-68) You are good and beneficial; teach me Your statutes.
69 (118-69) The proud weave lies against me; I will keep Your commandments with all my heart.
70 (118-70) Their heart grew fat like fat; I am comforted by Your law.
71 (118-71) It is good for me that I suffered in order to learn Your statutes.
72 (118-72) The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
73 (118-73) Thy hands created me and formed me; Give me understanding, and I will learn Your commandments.
74 (118-74) Those who fear You will see me and will rejoice because I trust in Your word.
75 (118-75) I know, Lord, that Your judgments are righteous and You punished me with justice.
76 (118-76) May Thy mercy be my comfort, according to Thy word to Thy servant.
77 (118-77) May Thy mercy come to me, and I will live; for Your law is my comfort.
78 (118-78) Let the proud be put to shame, for they innocently oppress me; I meditate on Your commandments.
79 (118-79) Let those who fear You and know Your revelations turn to me.
80 (118-80) Let my heart be blameless in Thy statutes, lest I be put to shame.
81 (118-81) My soul melts for Thy salvation; I trust in Your word.
82 (118-82) My eyes fail because of Your word; I say: when will You console me?
83 (118-83) I became like a bottle of smoke, [but] I did not forget Your statutes.
84 (118-84) How many days are Your servant? When will you bring judgment on my persecutors?
85 (118-85) The proud dug a pit for me, contrary to Your law.
86 (118-86) All Your commandments are truth; they persecute me unjustly: help me;
87 (118-87) almost destroyed me on earth, but I did not forsake Your commandments.
88 (118-88) Quicken me according to Thy mercy, and I will keep the testimonies of Thy mouth.
89 (118-89) For ever, O Lord, Thy word is established in heaven;
90 (118-90) Thy truth to generation and generation. You set the ground, and it stands.
91 (118-91) According to Your decrees, everything stands to this day, for everything serves You.
92 (118-92) If Thy law had not been my consolation, I would have perished in my misfortune.
93 (118-93) I will never forget Your commandments, for through them You give life to me.
94 (118-94) I am yours, save me; for I have sought Your commandments.
95 (118-95) The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; [and] I delve deeper into Your revelations.
96 (118-96) I have seen the limit of all perfection, [but] Your commandment is immeasurably vast.
97 (118-97) How I love Your law! I think about it all day.
98 (118-98) By Your commandment You have made me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me.
99 (118-99) I have become more intelligent than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your revelations.
100 (118-100) I am more knowledgeable than the elders, for I keep Your commandments.
101 (118-101) I have kept my feet from every evil way, to keep Your word;
102 (118-102) I do not shrink from Your judgments, for You teach me.
103 (118-103) How sweet are Your words to my throat! better than honey to my lips.
104 (118-104) I have been admonished by Your commandments; That’s why I hate every path of lies.
105 (118-105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 (118-106) I have sworn to keep Your righteous judgments, and I will fulfill them.
107 (118-107) I am greatly oppressed, O Lord; quicken me according to Your word.
108 (118-108) Deign, O Lord, to accept the voluntary sacrifice of my lips, and teach me Your judgments.
109 (118-109) My soul is continually in my hand, but I do not forget Your law.
110 (118-110) The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I have not turned away from Your commandments.
111 (118-111) I have accepted Your revelations as an inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112 (118-112) I have inclined my heart to fulfill Your statutes forever, to the end.
113 (118-113) I hate [human] inventions, but I love Your law.
114 (118-114) You are my covering and my shield; I trust in Your word.
115 (118-115) Depart from me, you wicked ones, and I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 (118-116) Strengthen me according to Your word, and I will live; Do not disgrace me in my hope;
117 (118-117) support me, and I will be saved; and I will continually attend to Your statutes.
118 (118-118) You overthrow all who deviate from Your statutes, for their devices are lies.
119 (118-119) [Like] dross, You sweep away all the wicked of the earth; therefore I have loved Your testimonies.
120 (118-120) My flesh trembles with Thy fear, and I fear Thy judgments.
121 (118-121) I did justice and righteousness; do not deliver me over to my persecutors.
122 (118-122) Protect Your servant for [his] good, so that the proud do not oppress me.
123 (118-123) My eyes melt away, waiting for Your salvation and the word of Your righteousness.
124 (118-124) Do unto Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.
125 (118-125) I am Thy servant: give me understanding, and I will know Thy testimonies.
126 (118-126) It’s time for the Lord to act: Your law has been destroyed.
127 (118-127) But I love Your commandments more than gold, and pure gold.
128 (118-128) I recognize all Your commandments as fair; I hate every path of lies.
129 (118-129) Wonderful are Your revelations; therefore my soul preserves them.
130 (118-130) The revelation of Your words enlightens, admonishes the simple.
131 (118-131) I open my mouth and sigh, for I thirst for Your commandments.
132 (118-132) Look upon me and have mercy on me, as you do to those who love your name.
133 (118-133) Establish my steps in Your word and do not let any iniquity take possession of me;
134 (118-134) deliver me from human oppression, and I will keep Your commandments;
135 (118-135) Shine upon Thy servant the light of Thy countenance, and teach me Thy statutes.
136 (118-136) Streams of water flow from my eyes because they do not keep Your law.
137 (118-137) You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are just.
138 (118-138) Your revelations, which You have commanded, are truth and perfect truth.
139 (118-139) My jealousy consumes me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 (118-140) Your word is very pure, and your servant has loved it.
141 (118-141) I am small and despised, [but] I do not forget Your commandments.
142 (118-142) Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, and Your law is truth.
143 (118-143) Sorrow and sorrow befell me; Your commandments are my consolation.
144 (118-144) The truth of Your revelations is eternal: give me understanding, and I will live.
145 (118-145) I cry with all my heart: hear me, O Lord, and I will keep Your statutes.
146 (118-146) I call upon You: save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
147 (118-147) I anticipate the dawn and call; I trust in Your word.
148 (118-148) My eyes are ahead of the [morning] watch, so that I may delve deeper into Your word.
149 (118-149) Hear my voice according to Thy mercy, O Lord; according to Your judgment, revive me.
150 (118-150) Those who plot deceit approached; They are far from Your law.
151 (118-151) You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are true.
152 (118-152) Long ago I learned about Your revelations, that You established them forever.
153 (118-153) Look at my misfortune and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law.
154 (118-154) Intercede in my cause and protect me; revive me according to Your word.
155 (118-155) Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes.
156 (118-156) Many are Your compassions, O Lord; according to Your judgment, revive me.
157 (118-157) I have many persecutors and enemies, [but] I do not move away from Your revelations.
158 (118-158) I see apostates, and I am saddened, for they do not keep Your word.
159 (118-159) See how I love Your commandments; By Thy mercy, Lord, revive me.
160 (118-160) The foundation of Your word is true, and every judgment of Your righteousness is eternal.
161 (118-161) Princes persecute me innocently, but my heart fears Your word.
162 (118-162) I rejoice in Your word, as one who has received great profit.
163 (118-163) I hate lies and abhor them; I love Your law.
164 (118-164) Seven times a day I glorify You for the judgments of Your righteousness.
165 (118-165) Great is the peace of those who love Your law, and there is no stumbling block for them.
166 (118-166) I trust in Your salvation, O Lord, and I fulfill Your commandments.
167 (118-167) My soul keeps Your revelations, and I love them deeply.
168 (118-168) I keep Your commandments and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.
169 (118-169) Let my cry come near before Thy face, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your word.
170 (118-170) Let my prayer come before Thy face; deliver me according to Your word.
171 (118-171) My lips will utter praise when You teach me Your statutes.
172 (118-172) My tongue will proclaim Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
173 (118-173) Let Your hand be to help me, for I have chosen Your commandments.
174 (118-174) I thirst for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my consolation.
175 (118-175) May my soul live and glorify You, and may Your judgments help me.
176 (118-176) I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek Thy servant, for I have not forgotten Thy commandments.
History of writing
The writing of the song is supposedly connected with David's stay with King Saul, who feared and hated God's young anointed. Wanting to get rid of the dangerous young David, beloved by the people, Saul began open persecution. David was forced to flee. He found refuge in the Philistine city of Gath, where King Achish ruled.
The song is the prayer of an exile. In it, he laments that he has to live among the barbarians in a foreign land for too long and endure their injustice and insults (slander), and asks the Lord for salvation.
Interpretation
Small, just seven lines, Psalm 119 has its own compositional features. Its text contains repeated phrases: “a treacherous tongue,” “in a foreign land.” And if Psalm 119 is heard in Russian, they emphasize the tragedy of the situation discussed in the song. Since the psalm is part of the “Songs of Ascension,” the further development of the plot takes place precisely in them.
- Verses 1-4: in these lines the singer turns to the Lord and asks to deliver him from evil speech. Only prayer can save him from slander and slander. David is in deep sorrow, realizing that he has succumbed to the false assurances of friendship of his enemies. Smiling, they plotted against him. Finding no way to cope with the situation himself, David turns to the Lord with a prayer for help and protection, to save his soul from the lies of his enemies who are ready to destroy David.
- Verses 5-7: In them David complains about his bad surroundings: he has to live among the pagans, who are deceitful and evil. Being forced to be among them causes David deep sorrow. His long wanderings further aggravate the feelings of the exile. He suffers because he is deprived of God's mercy and asks the Lord for protection and strength.
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When and how to read Psalm 119?
Traditionally in Judaism, Psalm 119 is read by pregnant women who want to ask God for patience and the ability to humbly accept their situation. Prayer is also considered effective during periods of fasting during drought.
People who have fallen victim to the machinations of enemies also resort to singing songs of praise. She saves those who are accused of evil deeds unjustly.
Psalm 119 allows you to disperse enemy forces and receive mercy and protection from the Lord.
