1-8. You’re blessed when you stay on course,walking steadily on the road revealed by God.You’re blessed when you follow his directions,doing your best to find him.That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;you walk straight along the road he set.You, God, prescribed the right way to live;now you expect us to live it.Oh, that my steps might be steady,keeping to the course you set;Then I’d never have any regretsin comparing my life with your counsel.I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.I’m going to do what you tell me to do;don’t ever walk off and leave me.
9-16. How can a young person live a clean life?By carefully reading the map of your Word.I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heartso I won’t sin myself bankrupt.Be blessed, God;train me in your ways of wise living.I’ll transfer to my lipsall the counsel that comes from your mouth;I delight far more in what you tell me about livingthan in gathering a pile of riches.I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,I attentively watch how you’ve done it.I relish everything you’ve told me of life,I won’t forget a word of it.
17-24. Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life;not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.Open my eyes so I can seewhat you show me of your miracle-wonders.I’m a stranger in these parts;give me clear directions.My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—insatiable for your nourishing commands.And those who think they know so much,ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it!Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;I’ve been careful to do just what you said.While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;I listen to them as to good neighbors!
25-32. I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?When I told my story, you responded;train me well in your deep wisdom.Help me understand these things inside and outso I can ponder your miracle-wonders.My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;build me up again by your Word.Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;grace me with your clear revelation.I choose the true road to Somewhere,I post your road signs at every curve and corner.I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;God, don’t let me down!I’ll run the course you lay out for meif you’ll just show me how.
33-40. God, teach me lessons for livingso I can stay the course.Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—my whole life one long, obedient response.Guide me down the road of your commandments;I love traveling this freeway!Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,and not for piling up loot.Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,invigorate me on the pilgrim way.Affirm your promises to me—promises made to all who fear you.Deflect the harsh words of my critics—but what you say is always so good.See how hungry I am for your counsel;preserve my life through your righteous ways!
41-48. Let your love, God, shape my lifewith salvation, exactly as you promised;Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockerybecause I trusted your Word.Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever—your commandments are what I depend on.Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me,guard it now, guard it ever;And I’ll stride freely through wide open spacesas I look for your truth and your wisdom;Then I’ll tell the world what I find,speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—relishing every fragment of your counsel.
49-56. Remember what you said to me, your servant—I hang on to these words for dear life!These words hold me up in bad times;yes, your promises rejuvenate me.The insolent ridicule me without mercy,but I don’t budge from your revelation.I watch for your ancient landmark words,and know I’m on the right track.But when I see the wicked ignore your directions,I’m beside myself with anger.I set your instructions to musicand sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.I meditate on your name all night, God,treasuring your revelation, O God.Still, I walk through a rain of derisionbecause I live by your Word and counsel.