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.

Yahweh, I have come to you to (get refuge/be protected); never allow me to become ashamed [because of being defeated].

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

Because you always do what is right, help me and rescue me; listen to me, and save me!

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

Be [like an overhanging] rock [MET] under which I [can be] safe/protected; [be like] a strong fortress in which I am safe [DOU]. You [continually] command (OR, [Continually] command) [your angels] to rescue me.

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

God, rescue me from wicked [people], from the power of unjust and evil men.

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

Yahweh, my Lord, you are the one whom I confidently expect [to help me]; I have trusted in you 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 all my life; you have taken care of me [IDM] since the day that I was born, [so] I will always praise you.

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

The manner in which I have conducted my life has been an example to many [people], because [they realize that] you have been my strong defender.

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

I praise you all day long, and I proclaim that you are glorious/wonderful.

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

Now, when I have become an old man, do not reject/abandon me; do not abandon me now, when I am not strong any more.

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

My enemies say [that they want to kill] me; they plan together [how they can do that].

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

They say [about me], “God has abandoned him; so now we can pursue him and seize him, because there is no one who will rescue him.”

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

God, do not stay far away from me; 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.

Cause those who (accuse me/say that I have done things that are wrong) to be defeated and destroyed; cause those who want to harm me to be shamed and disgraced.

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

But [as for me], I will continually and confidently expect [you to do great things for me], 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 tell people that you do what is right; all day long I will tell people how you have saved me, although what you have done is more than I can fully understand.

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

Yahweh, my Lord, I will praise you for your mighty deeds; I will proclaim that only you always act justly.

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

God, you have taught me [many/those things] ever since I was young, and I still tell people about your wonderful deeds.

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:

And now, God, when I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me. [Stay with me] while I continue to proclaim to my children and grandchildren [HYP] that you are [very] powerful!

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, you do many righteous deeds; [it is as though] they extend up to the sky. You have done great things; there is no one like you [RHQ].

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 have caused me to have many troubles and to suffer much, [but] you will cause me to become strong again; when I am almost dead [HYP], you will keep me alive.

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 cause me to be greatly honored and you will encourage/comfort me 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.

I will also praise you [while I play] my harp; I will praise you, my God, for faithfully [doing what you have promised to do]. I will play hymns to praise you, the holy God whom [we] Israelis [worship].

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

I [SYN] will shout joyfully while I play [the harp] for you; with my entire inner being I will sing because you have rescued 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 people that you act righteously, because those who wanted to harm me will have been defeated and disgraced.