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.

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

2 Free me by your justice, 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 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 [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 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.

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

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

Yahweh, my Lord, you are the one whom I confidently expect [to help me]; I have trusted in you since I was young.

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

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 have become to many as if I were a portent, but you are a 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, so that I may sing your glory, your greatness all day long.

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

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

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

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

11 saying: “God has abandoned him. Pursue and overtake him. For there is no one to rescue 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, do not be far from me. O my God, provide for my assistance.

God, do not stay far away from me; hurry to help me!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 and your justice, O God, even to the highest great things that you have done. O God, who is like 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 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 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 have multiplied your magnificence. And so, turning back to me, you have consoled me.

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

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 will exult, when I sing to you, and also 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 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.

All day long I will tell people that you act righteously, because those who wanted to harm me will have been defeated and disgraced.