Twenty-two alphabetic stanzas delight in Torah: Pe stanza

Pe finds the testimonies wonderful, and their unfolding gives light to the simple

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

Wonderful means extraordinary, not merely nice. Entrance—or unfolding—of words gives light. Simple here is the teachable person, not a fool to be mocked. Panting with an open mouth is desire as thirst, a body image for longing.

Steps, dominion of iniquity, and tears for a law people will not keep

Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Ordered steps and not being ruled by iniquity are paired. Oppression of man is an obstacle to keeping, so deliverance is requested for the sake of obedience, not only comfort. Shining face is priestly blessing language. The stanza ends in tears for other people's lawlessness: grief, not a sneer. The rivers are not a proof of superior purity.