¶My earthly life clings to the dust;
Revive and refresh me according to Your word. [Ps 143:11]
I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So that I will meditate (focus my thoughts) on Your wonderful works. [Ps 145:5, 6]
My soul dissolves because of grief;
Renew and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.
Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness,
And graciously grant me Your law.
I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
I cling tightly to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
I will run the way of Your commandments [with purpose],
For You will give me a heart that is willing.
¶Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I will [steadfastly] observe it to the end.
Give me understanding [a teachable heart and the ability to learn], that I may keep Your law;
And observe it with all my heart. [Prov 2:6; James 1:5]
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain and envy. [Ezek 33:31; Mark 7:21, 22; 1 Tim 6:10; Heb 13:5]
Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract—let Your priorities be mine],
And restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways.
Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant,
As that which produces [awe-inspired] reverence for You. [Deut 10:12; Ps 96:9]
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good.
I long for Your precepts;
Renew me through Your righteousness.
¶May Your lovingkindness also come to me, O LORD,
Your salvation according to Your promise;
So I will have an answer for the one who taunts me,
For I trust [completely] in Your word [and its reliability].
And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your ordinances.
I will keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever [writing Your precepts on my heart].
And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek and deeply long for Your precepts.
I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed. [Ps 138:1; Matt 10:18, 19; Acts 26:1, 2]
For I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.