Psalms 71

1 A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:

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

2 Deliver me in thy justice, and rescue me. Incline thy ear unto me, and save me.

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

3 Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of strength: that thou mayst make me safe. For thou art my firmament 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, out of the hand of the sinner, and out of the hand of the transgressor of the law and of the unjust.

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

5 For thou art my patience, O Lord: my hope, O Lord, from my youth;

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

6 By thee have I been confirmed from the womb: from my mother’s womb thou art my protector. Of thee shall I continually sing:

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 run become unto many as a wonder, but thou art a 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 sing thy glory; thy greatness all the day long.

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

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age: when my strength shall fail, do not thou forsake me.

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

10 For my enemies have spoken against me; and they that watched my soul have consulted together,

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

11 Saying: God hath forsaken him: pursue 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, be not thou far from me: O my God, make haste to my help.

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

13 Let them be confounded and come to nothing that detract my soul; let them be covered with confusion and shame that seek my hurt.

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 always hope; and will add to all thy praise.

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

15 My mouth shall shew forth thy justice; thy salvation all the day long. Because I have not known learning,

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

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

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

17 Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth: and till now I will declare thy wonderful works.

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

18 And unto old age and grey hairs: O God, forsake me not, Until I shew forth thy arm to all the generation that is to come: Thy power,

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 And thy justice, O God, even to the highest great things thou hast done: O God, who is like to thee?

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

20 How great troubles hast thou shewn me, many and grievous: and turning thou hast brought me to life, and hast brought me back 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 Thou hast multiplied thy magnificence; and turning to me thou hast comforted me.

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

22 For I will also confess to thee thy truth with the instruments of psaltery: O God, I will sing to thee with the harp, thou 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 greatly rejoice, when I shall sing to thee; and my soul which thou hast redeemed.

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

24 Yea and my tongue shall meditate on thy justice all the day; when they shall be confounded and put to shame that seek evils to me.

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.