Psalms 31
1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.
A psalm of David. For the music director. Lord, you are the one who keeps me safe; please don't let me ever be humiliated. Save me, because you always do what is right.
2 Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.
Please listen to me, and be quick to rescue me. Be my rock of protection, my strong fortress of safety.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.
You are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your reputation, please lead me and guide me.
4 You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.
Help me escape from the hidden net that they set to trap me, for you are the one who protects me.
5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.
I put myself in your hands. Save me, Lord, for you are a trustworthy God.
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.
I hate those who devote themselves to pointless idols; I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.
I will celebrate, happy in your love that never fails, for you have seen the problems I face and have paid attention to my troubles.
8 You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.
You haven't handed me over to my enemies; you have set me free.
9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well.
Be kind to me Lord, for I am upset. I can hardly see from so much crying. I am completely wasting away.
10 For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away.
Grief is killing me; my life is cut short by sadness; I am falling apart because of my troubles; I am worn to the bone.
11 Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends— they flee when they see me on the street.
I am ridiculed by my enemies, particularly by my neighbors. My friends dread meeting me; people who see me in the street run the other way.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.
I have been forgotten as if I were dead; I'm ignored like a broken pot.
13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
I hear many people whispering about me; terror surrounds me. They plot together against me, planning to kill me.
14 But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
But I put my trust in you, Lord, saying, “You are my God!”
15 My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
My whole life is in your hands! Save me from those who hate me and persecute me!
16 Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.
May you look kindly on me, your servant. Save me because of your trustworthy love.
17 O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on You. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them lie silent in Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
Lord, don't let me be disgraced, for I'm calling out to you. Instead let the wicked be disgraced, let them be silent in the grave. (Sheol h7585)
18 May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.
Shut the mouths of those who tell lies against good people—those who speak contemptuously in their pride and arrogance!
19 How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You!
How wonderful is the goodness you have reserved for those who honor you! In front of everyone you give this goodness to those who come to you for help.
20 You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.
You shelter and protect them with your presence, far from their enemies who scheme against them. You keep them safe from attacks and accusations.
21 Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His loving devotion in a city under siege.
Bless the Lord, for he has shown me his wonderful trustworthy love when my city was being attacked
22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.
Terrified I cried out, “I am being destroyed right in front of you!” But you heard my cry when I called out for you to help me.
23 Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant.
Love the Lord, all you who trust in him! The Lord takes care of those who trust him, but he pays back in full those who are arrogant.
24 Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.
Be strong and be confident, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
