17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

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

21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands.

22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.

23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Other Translations of Psalm 119:17-24

King James Version

17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18 Open Open: Heb. Reveal thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. my counsellors: Heb. men of my counsel

English Standard Version

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.

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

19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!

20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rulesOr your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175 at all times.

21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.

22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.

23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

The Message

17 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.

18 Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.

19 I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.

20 My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for your nourishing commands.

21 And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them - let them have it!

22 Don't let them mock and humiliate me; I've been careful to do just what you said.

23 While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.

24 Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!

New King James Version

17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.

18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.

20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.

21 You rebuke the proud--the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.

23 Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.

New Living Translation

17 Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don't hide your commands from me!

20 I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

21 You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed.

22 Don't let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.

23 Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:17-24

Commentary on Psalm 119:17-24

(Read Psalm 119:17-24)

If God deals in strict justice with us, we all perish. We ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true life in keeping his word. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel, must beg him to give them understanding, by the light of his Spirit. Believers feel themselves strangers on earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort by erring from God's commandments. Every sanctified soul hungers after the word of God, as food which there is no living without. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin. God can silence lying lips; reproach and contempt may humble and do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the weight of the cross is above that we are able to bear? He that bore it for us will enable us to bear it; upheld by him we cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the innocent, are their betrayers. The psalmist went on in duty, and he found comfort in the word of God. The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God's testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. May the Lord direct us in exercising repentance of sin, and faith in Christ.