The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Plain English · paraphraseHow sweet are your words to me! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Plain English · paraphraseI understand your teachings and therefore hate every false path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

Plain English · paraphraseI have made a promise and will carry it out: I will keep your righteous judgments.

I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseI suffer greatly. Make me alive again, Lord, as you promised.

Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

Plain English · paraphrasePlease accept the offerings I give freely with my words, Lord. Teach me your rules.

My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Plain English · paraphraseThe wicked have set a trap for me, but I did not turn away from your commands.

Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

Plain English · paraphraseI have accepted your teachings as a lasting inheritance, for they bring joy to my heart.

I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Plain English · paraphraseI have decided to follow your laws always, right to the end.

I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Plain English · paraphraseI hate empty thoughts, but I love your law.

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseYou are my place of safety and my shield. I trust in your promise.

Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Plain English · paraphraseGo away from me, you people who do evil. I will keep the commands of my God.

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Plain English · paraphraseSupport me as you promised, so that I may live. Do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Plain English · paraphraseHold me up, and I will be safe. I will always pay attention to your laws.

Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have crushed all those who stray from your laws, because their lies are false.

Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

Plain English · paraphraseYou remove all the wicked from the earth like dross. Therefore, I love your testimonies.

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Plain English · paraphraseMy body trembles because of you; I am afraid of your judgments.

I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Plain English · paraphraseI have done what is right and fair: do not leave me to my oppressors.

Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Plain English · paraphraseMake sure your servant is treated fairly. Let the proud not oppress me.

Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Plain English · paraphraseMy eyes grow weak waiting for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.

Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

Plain English · paraphraseTreat your servant with your mercy, and teach me your laws.

I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

Plain English · paraphraseI am your servant. Give me understanding so I can know your teachings.

It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, I love your commandments more than gold; yes, more than pure gold.

Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore I think all your rules about everything are right; and I hate every false way.

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

Plain English · paraphraseYour teachings are amazing. That’s why my soul follows them.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Plain English · paraphraseYour words bring light; they give understanding to those who know little.

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

Plain English · paraphraseI opened my mouth and breathed heavily, because I longed for your commandments.

Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Plain English · paraphraseLook at me, and be merciful to me, as you have been to those who love your name.

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Plain English · paraphraseGuide my steps according to your word. Let no sin rule over me.

Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

Plain English · paraphraseFree me from the cruelty of people. I will follow your commands.

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Plain English · paraphraseMake your face shine on your servant. Teach me your laws.

Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Plain English · paraphraseRivers of water run down my eyes, because they do not keep your law.

Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Plain English · paraphraseYour instructions, which you have given, are right and completely true.

My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Plain English · paraphraseYour word is very pure. Therefore, your servant loves it.

I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

Plain English · paraphraseI am small and looked down on, but I do not forget your commands.

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

Plain English · paraphraseTrouble and anguish have taken hold of me. But your commandments are my delight.

The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

Plain English · paraphraseThe righteousness of your teachings lasts forever. Give me understanding, and I will live.

I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

Plain English · paraphraseI cried out with all my heart. LORD, listen to me. I will obey your commands.

I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

Plain English · paraphraseI cried to you. Save me, and I will keep your teachings.

I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseMy eyes stay awake through the night watches to think about your word.

Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

Plain English · paraphraseListen to my voice because of your kindness. O Lord, give me life according to your judgment.

They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

Plain English · paraphraseYou are near, Lord. All your commandments are true.

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseI have long known that you established your testimonies to last forever.

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

Plain English · paraphraseConsider my suffering and rescue me, for I do not forget your law.

Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseHelp me in my case, and save me. Make me alive again according to your word.

Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Plain English · paraphraseSalvation is far from the wicked, because they do not seek your laws.

Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

Plain English · paraphraseMany people persecute me and are my enemies, but I do not turn away from your teachings.

I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseI saw the lawbreakers and was upset, because they did not keep your word.

Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseYour word is true from the beginning. Every one of your righteous judgments lasts forever.

Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Plain English · paraphraseI am happy about your message, as someone who finds great treasure.

I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Plain English · paraphraseI hate and despise lying, but I love your law.

Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who love your law have great peace. Nothing will make them stumble.

LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

Plain English · paraphraseLord, I have waited for your salvation and obeyed your commands.

My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul has kept your commands; and I love them very much.

I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

Plain English · paraphraseI have obeyed your commands and your teachings, for all my actions are known to you.

Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseLet my cry come to you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.

Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

Plain English · paraphraseLet my prayer come to you. Save me, as you promised.

My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

Plain English · paraphraseMy lips will speak praise when you teach me your laws.

My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

Plain English · paraphraseHelp me with your power. I have chosen your teachings.

I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

Plain English · paraphraseI have longed for your salvation, Lord; and your law is my delight.

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

Plain English · paraphraseLet my soul live, and I will praise you. Let your judgments help me.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Plain English · paraphraseI have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant. I do not forget your commandments.

In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

Plain English · paraphraseIn my trouble I called to the Lord, and he heard me.

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

Plain English · paraphraseSave me, Lord, from false words and from a tricking tongue.

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

Plain English · paraphraseWhat will be given to you? Or what will be done to you, you lying tongue?

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

Plain English · paraphraseSharp arrows from the powerful, with burning juniper coals.

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

Plain English · paraphraseWoe is me that I live among the Mesech people, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

Plain English · paraphraseMy soul has lived a long time with the one who hates peace.

I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Plain English · paraphraseI want peace, but when I speak, they want war.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Plain English · paraphraseI will lift my eyes to the hills, from where my help comes.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Plain English · paraphraseHe will not let your foot slip. The one who watches over you does not sleep.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Plain English · paraphraseLook, the one who watches over Israel never stops watching.

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord is your guardian. The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

Plain English · paraphraseThe sun will not strike you by day, and the moon will not strike you by night.

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord will protect you from all evil. He will protect your life.

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

Plain English · paraphraseJerusalem is built as a city joined together.

Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Plain English · paraphrasePray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.

Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Plain English · paraphrasePeace be inside your walls, and prosperity inside your palaces.

For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

Plain English · paraphraseFor the sake of my brothers and companions, I will say now: Peace be within you.

Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Plain English · paraphraseI lift my eyes to you, O one who lives in the heavens.