With God's help....
From the very beginning, it was obvious we needed God’s help to have the strength to follow his will. It’s not immediately obvious that Psalm 119:1-8 includes a prayer for such strength.
The passage reads like this in the Common English Bible (my generally preferred translation):
Those whose way is blameless—
who walk in the Lord’s Instruction—are truly happy!
Those who guard God’s laws are truly happy!
They seek God with all their hearts.
They don’t even do anything wrong!
They walk in God’s ways.
God, you have ordered that your decrees
should be kept most carefully.
How I wish my ways were strong
when it comes to keeping your statutes!
Then I wouldn’t be ashamed
when I examine all your commandments.
I will give thanks to you with a heart that does right
as I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes.
Please don’t leave me all alone!
The prayer is in verse 5. The New Revised Standard Version captures the feel of it best:
O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
That’s a prayer we all need. May God strengthen us so that we might follow his direction and therefore experience the deep happiness-despite-circumstances the Psalmist envisions.