Psalms 31

1 A psalm of David. For the music director. Lord, you are the one who keeps me safe; please don't let me ever be humiliated. Save me, because you always do what is right.

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” In thee, O LORD! do I trust; let me never be put to shame; According to thy goodness deliver me!

2 Please listen to me, and be quick to rescue me. Be my rock of protection, my strong fortress of safety.

Bow down thine ear to me; help me speedily! Be to me a strong rock, a high fortress, for my deliverance!

3 You are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your reputation, please lead me and guide me.

For thou art my rock and my high fortress; Be thou also my guide, and lead me, for thy name's sake!

4 Help me escape from the hidden net that they set to trap me, for you are the one who protects me.

Draw me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For thou art my strength!

5 I put myself in your hands. Save me, Lord, for you are a trustworthy God.

Into thy hand I commit my life; Thou wilt deliver me, O LORD, thou God of truth!

6 I hate those who devote themselves to pointless idols; I trust in the Lord.

I hate those who regard lying vanities, And put my trust in the LORD.

7 I will celebrate, happy in your love that never fails, for you have seen the problems I face and have paid attention to my troubles.

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy, That thou hast looked upon my trouble, And hast had regard to my distress;

8 You haven't handed me over to my enemies; you have set me free.

That thou hast not given me up to the hands of my enemies, But hast set my feet in a wide place.

9 Be kind to me Lord, for I am upset. I can hardly see from so much crying. I am completely wasting away.

Have mercy upon me, O LORD! for I am in trouble! My face is consumed with grief; Yea, my spirit and my body.

10 Grief is killing me; my life is cut short by sadness; I am falling apart because of my troubles; I am worn to the bone.

For my life is wasted with sorrow, And my years with sighing; My strength faileth by reason of my affliction, And my bones are consumed on account of all my enemies.

11 I am ridiculed by my enemies, particularly by my neighbors. My friends dread meeting me; people who see me in the street run the other way.

I have become the scorn of my neighbors, And the terror of my acquaintance; They who see me abroad flee from me.

12 I have been forgotten as if I were dead; I'm ignored like a broken pot.

I am forgotten like a dead man out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

13 I hear many people whispering about me; terror surrounds me. They plot together against me, planning to kill me.

I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; For they take counsel together against me; They devise to take away my life.

14 But I put my trust in you, Lord, saying, “You are my God!”

But I trust in thee, O Jehovah! I say, “Thou art my God!”

15 My whole life is in your hands! Save me from those who hate me and persecute me!

My destiny is in thy hand; Deliver me from the power of my enemies and persecutors!

16 May you look kindly on me, your servant. Save me because of your trustworthy love.

Let thy face shine upon thy servant, And save me through thy mercy!

17 Lord, don't let me be disgraced, for I'm calling out to you. Instead let the wicked be disgraced, let them be silent in the grave. (Sheol h7585)

Let me not be put to shame, O LORD! for I have called upon thee; Let the wicked be put to shame; Let them be silenced in the grave! (Sheol h7585)

18 Shut the mouths of those who tell lies against good people—those who speak contemptuously in their pride and arrogance!

Let lying lips be put to silence, Which speak proud things against the righteous, With haughtiness and contempt!

19 How wonderful is the goodness you have reserved for those who honor you! In front of everyone you give this goodness to those who come to you for help.

O how great is thy goodness, which thou treasurest up for them that fear thee; Which thou showest to them that trust in thee, before the sons of men!

20 You shelter and protect them with your presence, far from their enemies who scheme against them. You keep them safe from attacks and accusations.

Thou hidest them in the secret place of thy presence from the machinations of men; Thou shelterest them in thy pavilion from the violence of tongues.

21 Bless the Lord, for he has shown me his wonderful trustworthy love when my city was being attacked

Praised be the LORD; for he hath shown me his wonderful kindness, As in a fortified city!

22 Terrified I cried out, “I am being destroyed right in front of you!” But you heard my cry when I called out for you to help me.

I said in my distress, “I am cut off from before thine eyes;” But thou didst hear the voice of my supplication, When I cried unto thee.

23 Love the Lord, all you who trust in him! The Lord takes care of those who trust him, but he pays back in full those who are arrogant.

O love the LORD, all ye his servants; For the LORD preserveth the faithful, And requiteth the proud in full measure!

24 Be strong and be confident, all you who put your hope in the Lord.

Be of good courage; let your hearts be strong, All ye who trust in the LORD!