Psalms 71

1 By David, [a Psalm sung by] the sons of Jonadab, and the first that were taken captive. O Lord, I have hoped in you: let me never be put to shame.

Lord, you are the one who keeps me safe; please don't disappoint me.

2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me: incline your ear to me, and save me.

Save me, rescue me, because you always do what is right.

3 Be to me a protecting God, and a strong hold to save me: for you are my fortress and my refuge.

Please listen to me, and save me. Be my rock of protection where I can always go and hide. You gave the command to save me; for you are my rock and fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, from the hand of the transgressor and unjust man.

My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of those who are evil and brutal.

5 For you are my support, O Lord; O Lord, [you are] my hope from my youth.

For you, Lord God, are my hope. You are the one I have trusted since I was young.

6 On you have I been stayed from the womb: from the belly of my mother you are my protector: of you is my praise continually.

I have depended on you since birth; you have taken care of me from my mother's womb. That's why I'm always praising you!

7 I am become as it were a wonder to many: but you are [my] strong helper.

My life has been like a miracle to many people, for you have been my powerful protector.

8 Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may hymn your glory, [and] your majesty all the day.

All day long I am full of praise for you, telling how wonderful you are!

9 Cast me not off at the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.

Don't reject me now I'm getting old. When my strength is gone, please don't abandon me.

10 For mine enemies have spoken against me; and they that lay wait for my soul have taken counsel together,

For my enemies are talking about me; those who want to kill me are plotting together.

11 saying, God has forsaken him: persecute you and take him; for there is none to deliver [him].

They say, “God has given up on him. Let's go after him because there's no one to save him.”

12 O God, go not far from me, O my God, draw near to my help.

God, please don't stay away from me. My God, hurry to help me!

13 Let those that plot against my soul be ashamed and utterly fail: let those that seek my hurt be clothed with shame and dishonour.

Defeat my accusers, get rid of them! May those who want to cause me trouble be covered with shame and disgrace!

14 But I will hope continually, and will praise you more and more.

As for me, I will go on hoping in you, and I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth shall declare your righteousness openly, [and] your salvation all the day; for I am not acquainted with the affairs [of men].

I will talk about your goodness and your salvation every day, even though it's more than I can understand.

16 I will go on in the might of the Lord: O Lord, I will make mention of your righteousness only.

I will come and explain what the Lord has done. I will remind people that you alone do what is right.

17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and until now will I declare your wonders;

God, you have taught me since I was young, and I still tell others about all the wonderful things you do.

18 even until I am old and advanced in years. O God, forsake me not; until I shall have declared your arm to all the generation that is to come:

Even though I'm old and gray, please don't abandon me, God. Let me tell the new generation about your power. Let me explain to all who are to come the great things you do.

19 even your power and your righteousness, O God, up to the highest [heavens, even] the mighty works which you has done: O God, who is like to you?

God, your trustworthy and true nature is higher than the highest heaven! You have done incredible things! God, who is like you?

20 What afflictions many and sore have you showed me! yet you did turn and quicken me, and brought me again from the depths of the earth.

You had me face many troubles and plenty of misery, but you will bring me back to life; you will rise me up from the depths of the earth.

21 You did multiply your righteousness, and did turn and comfort me, and brought me again out of the depths of the earth.

You will give me even greater prestige, and you will make me happy again.

22 I will also therefore give thanks to you, O God, [because of] your truth, on an instrument of psalmody: I will sing psalms to you on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.

Then I will praise you on the harp for your trustworthiness, my God. I will sing praises to you on the lyre, Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall rejoice when I sing to you; and my soul, which you have redeemed.

I will shout for joy as I sing praises to you, for you have redeemed me.

24 Moreover also my tongue shall dwell all the day upon your righteousness; when they shall be ashamed and confounded that seek my hurt.

All day long I will tell about all the good things you have done, for those who tried to cause me misery have been disgraced and humiliated.