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who follow the instructions of the Lord .
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Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
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They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
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You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
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Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
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Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
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As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
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I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
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By obeying your word.
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I have tried hard to find you -
don’t let me wander from your commands.
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I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
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I praise you, O Lord ;
teach me your decrees.
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I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.
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I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.
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I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
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I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.
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that I may live and obey your word.
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Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.
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I am only a foreigner in the land.
Don’t hide your commands from me!
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I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for your regulations.
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You rebuke the arrogant;
those who wander from your commands are cursed.
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Don’t let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed your laws.
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Even princes sit and speak against me,
but I will meditate on your decrees.
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Your laws please me;
they give me wise advice.
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revive me by your word.
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I told you my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.
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Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
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I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by your word.
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Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
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I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your regulations.
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I cling to your laws.
Lord , don’t let me be put to shame!
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I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.
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I will keep them to the end.
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Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
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Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
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Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
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Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word. 1
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Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.
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Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.
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I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.
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the salvation that you promised me.
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Then I can answer those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
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Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
for your regulations are my only hope.
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I will keep on obeying your instructions
forever and ever.
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I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
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I will speak to kings about your laws,
and I will not be ashamed.
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How I delight in your commands!
How I love them!
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I honor and love your commands.
I meditate on your decrees.
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it is my only hope.
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Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.
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The proud hold me in utter contempt,
but I do not turn away from your instructions.
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I meditate on your age-old regulations;
O Lord , they comfort me.
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I become furious with the wicked,
because they reject your instructions.
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Your decrees have been the theme of my songs
wherever I have lived.
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I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord ;
therefore, I obey your instructions.
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This is how I spend my life:
obeying your commandments.
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I promise to obey your words!
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With all my heart I want your blessings.
Be merciful as you promised.
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I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws.
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I will hurry, without delay,
to obey your commands.
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Evil people try to drag me into sin,
but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
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I rise at midnight to thank you
for your just regulations.
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I am a friend to anyone who fears you -
anyone who obeys your commandments.
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O Lord , your unfailing love fills the earth;
teach me your decrees.
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just as you promised.
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I believe in your commands;
now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
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I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
but now I closely follow your word.
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You are good and do only good;
teach me your decrees.
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Arrogant people smear me with lies,
but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
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Their hearts are dull and stupid,
but I delight in your instructions.
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My suffering was good for me,
for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
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Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.
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Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
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May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.
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I know, O Lord , that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.
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Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
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Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight.
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Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
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Let me be united with all who fear you,
with those who know your laws.
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May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
then I will never be ashamed.
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but I have put my hope in your word.
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My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
When will you comfort me?
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I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
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How long must I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?
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These arrogant people who hate your instructions
have dug deep pits to trap me.
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All your commands are trustworthy.
Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
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They almost finished me off,
but I refused to abandon your commandments.
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In your unfailing love, spare my life;
then I can continue to obey your laws.
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stands firm in heaven.
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Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
as enduring as the earth you created.
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Your regulations remain true to this day,
for everything serves your plans.
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If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy,
I would have died in my misery.
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I will never forget your commandments,
for by them you give me life.
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I am yours; rescue me!
For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
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Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me,
I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.
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Even perfection has its limits,
but your commands have no limit.
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I think about them all day long.
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Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
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Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
for I am always thinking of your laws.
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I am even wiser than my elders,
for I have kept your commandments.
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I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to your word.
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I haven’t turned away from your regulations,
for you have taught me well.
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How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.
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Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.
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and a light for my path.
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I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
I will obey your righteous regulations.
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I have suffered much, O Lord ;
restore my life again as you promised.
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Lord , accept my offering of praise,
and teach me your regulations.
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My life constantly hangs in the balance,
but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
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The wicked have set their traps for me,
but I will not turn from your commandments.
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Your laws are my treasure;
they are my heart’s delight.
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I am determined to keep your decrees
to the very end.
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but I love your instructions.
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You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.
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Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
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Lord , sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
Do not let my hope be crushed.
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Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
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But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees.
They are only fooling themselves.
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You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum;
no wonder I love to obey your laws!
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I tremble in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your regulations.
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for I have done what is just and right.
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Please guarantee a blessing for me.
Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
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My eyes strain to see your rescue,
to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
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I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
and teach me your decrees.
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Give discernment to me, your servant;
then I will understand your laws.
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Lord , it is time for you to act,
for these evil people have violated your instructions.
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Truly, I love your commands
more than gold, even the finest gold.
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Each of your commandments is right.
That is why I hate every false way.
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No wonder I obey them!
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The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
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I pant with expectation,
longing for your commands.
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Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.
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Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.
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Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
then I can obey your commandments.
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Look upon me with love;
teach me your decrees.
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Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey your instructions.
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and your regulations are fair.
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Your laws are perfect
and completely trustworthy.
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I am overwhelmed with indignation,
for my enemies have disregarded your words.
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Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.
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I am insignificant and despised,
but I don’t forget your commandments.
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Your justice is eternal,
and your instructions are perfectly true.
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As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.
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Your laws are always right;
help me to understand them so I may live.
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I will obey your decrees.
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I cry out to you; rescue me,
that I may obey your laws.
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I rise early, before the sun is up;
I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.
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I stay awake through the night,
thinking about your promise.
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In your faithful love, O Lord , hear my cry;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
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Lawless people are coming to attack me;
they live far from your instructions.
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But you are near, O Lord ,
and all your commands are true.
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I have known from my earliest days
that your laws will last forever.
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for I have not forgotten your instructions.
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Argue my case; take my side!
Protect my life as you promised.
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The wicked are far from rescue,
for they do not bother with your decrees.
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Lord , how great is your mercy;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
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Many persecute and trouble me,
yet I have not swerved from your laws.
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Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,
because they care nothing for your word.
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See how I love your commandments, Lord .
Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
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The very essence of your words is truth;
all your just regulations will stand forever.
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but my heart trembles only at your word.
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I rejoice in your word
like one who discovers a great treasure.
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I hate and abhor all falsehood,
but I love your instructions.
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I will praise you seven times a day
because all your regulations are just.
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Those who love your instructions have great peace
and do not stumble.
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I long for your rescue, Lord ,
so I have obeyed your commands.
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I have obeyed your laws,
for I love them very much.
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Yes, I obey your commandments and laws
because you know everything I do.
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give me the discerning mind you promised.
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Listen to my prayer;
rescue me as you promised.
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Let praise flow from my lips,
for you have taught me your decrees.
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Let my tongue sing about your word,
for all your commands are right.
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Give me a helping hand,
for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
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O Lord , I have longed for your rescue,
and your instructions are my delight.
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Let me live so I can praise you,
and may your regulations help me.
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I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
come and find me,
for I have not forgotten your commands.