Psalms 71

1 A Psalm of David. Of the sons of Jonadab and the former captives. In you, O Lord, I have hoped; do not let me be brought to ruin forever.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge, let me never be put to shame.

2 Free me by your justice, and rescue me. Incline your ear to me, and save me.

In your faithfulness save me and rescue me, bend your ear to me and save me.

3 Be a God of protection and a place of strength for me, so that you may accomplish my salvation. For you are my firmament and my refuge.

Be to me a rock of defence, a fortified house, to save me; for my rock and my fortress are you.

4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, and from the hand of the unjust and those who act against the law.

Save me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

5 For you, O Lord, are my patience: my hope from my youth, O Lord.

For you, Lord, are my hope, in whom from my youth I have trusted.

6 In you, I have been confirmed from conception. From my mother’s womb, you are my protector. In you, I will sing forever.

On you have I leaned from my birth; from my mother’s womb it was you who did draw me. In you is my hope evermore.

7 I have become to many as if I were a portent, but you are a strong helper.

I have been as a wonder to many, for you are my refuge and strength.

8 Let my mouth be filled with praise, so that I may sing your glory, your greatness all day long.

All the day long my mouth is filled with your praise and your glory.

9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age. Do not abandon me when my strength will fail.

Cast me not off in the time of old age; when my strength is spent, forsake me not.

10 For my enemies have spoken against me. And those who watched for my soul have taken counsel as one,

For my foes whisper against me, they who watch me take counsel together;

11 saying: “God has abandoned him. Pursue and overtake him. For there is no one to rescue him.”

“God has left him,” they say: “pursue and seize him, for he is helpless.”

12 O God, do not be far from me. O my God, provide for my assistance.

O God, be not far from me, haste, O my God, to my help.

13 May they be confounded, and may they fail, who drag down my soul. Let them be covered with confusion and shame, who seek evils for me.

Put my foes to shame and dishonor, with insult and shame be they covered.

14 But I will always have hope. And I will add more to all your praise.

But I will never stop hoping, and more and yet more will I praise you.

15 My mouth will announce your justice, your salvation all day long. For I have not known letters.

All the day long shall my mouth tell your faithfulness and your salvation, though I know not how they may be counted.

16 I will enter into the powers of the Lord. I will be mindful of your justice alone, O Lord.

I will tell of the might of the Lord, and your faithfulness praise, you alone.

17 You have taught me from my youth, O God. And so I will declare your wonders continuously,

You have taught me, O God, from my youth, and till now have I told of your wonders.

18 even in old age and with grey hairs. Do not abandon me, O God, while I announce your arm to every future generation: your power

Even in old age and grey hair, O God, do not forsake me. Still would I tell of your might unto all generations to come.

19 and your justice, O God, even to the highest great things that you have done. O God, who is like you?

Your power and your justice, O God, extend as far as the heavens: for great are the things you have done. Who is like you, O God?

20 How great is the tribulation that you have revealed to me: very great and evil. And so, turning back, you have brought me to life, and you have led me back again from the abyss of the earth.

You have caused us to see troubles many, but you will revive us again. From the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

21 You have multiplied your magnificence. And so, turning back to me, you have consoled me.

You will multiply my greatness, and comfort me again.

22 Therefore, I will confess your truth to you, with the instruments of the Psalter. O God, I will sing psalms to you with stringed instruments, O Holy One of Israel.

So with harp I will praise you, and your faithfulness, O my God; and make music to you on the lyre, O you Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will exult, when I sing to you, and also my soul, which you have redeemed.

My lips shall ring out their joy, my mouth shall sing praises to you; all of me, which you have redeemed.

24 And even my tongue will meditate on your justice all day long, when those who seek evils for me have been confounded and set in awe.

Yes, all the day long shall my tongue utter your righteousness; for ashamed and confounded are they who were seeking my hurt.