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. A psalm of David. In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me in your faithfulness;
2 Please listen to me, and be quick to rescue me. Be my rock of protection, my strong fortress of safety.
incline to me your ear. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a rock of defence, a fortified house, to save me.
3 You are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your reputation, please lead me and guide me.
For my rock and my fortress are you; lead me and guide me so your name will be honoured.
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 they have hid for me, for you yourself are my refuge.
5 I put myself in your hands. Save me, Lord, for you are a trustworthy God.
Into your hand I commend my spirit: you ransom me, Lord, faithful God.
6 I hate those who devote themselves to pointless idols; I trust in the Lord.
I hate those devoted to worthless idols; I 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 rejoice and be glad in your love, because you have looked on my misery, and cared for me in my distress.
8 You haven't handed me over to my enemies; you have set me free.
You have not given me into the enemy’s hand, you have set my feet in a spacious place.
9 Be kind to me Lord, for I am upset. I can hardly see from so much crying. I am completely wasting away.
Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am distressed; my eye is wasted away with sorrow.
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 consumed with grief, and my years with sighing. My strength is broken with misery, my bones waste away.
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.
The scorn of all my foes, the butt of my neighbours am I, a terror to my acquaintance. At the sight of me in the street people turn quickly away.
12 I have been forgotten as if I were dead; I'm ignored like a broken pot.
I am clean forgotten like the dead, am become like a ruined vessel.
13 I hear many people whispering about me; terror surrounds me. They plot together against me, planning to kill me.
I hear the whispers of many – terror on every side – scheming together against me, plotting to take my life.
14 But I put my trust in you, Lord, saying, “You are my God!”
But my trust is in you, Lord. ‘You are my God,’ I say;
15 My whole life is in your hands! Save me from those who hate me and persecute me!
my times are in your hand, save me from the hand of the foes who pursue me.
16 May you look kindly on me, your servant. Save me because of your trustworthy love.
Make your face to shine on your servant, save me in your love.
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)
Put me not, O Lord, to shame, for I have called upon you. Let the wicked be put to shame silent in Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
18 Shut the mouths of those who tell lies against good people—those who speak contemptuously in their pride and arrogance!
Strike the false lips dumb, that speak proudly 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.
How great is the goodness you have treasured for those who fear you, and wrought for those who take refuge in you, in plain sight of all!
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.
In your sheltering wings you hide them from plottings of people, you keep them safe in a bower from the chiding of tongues.
21 Bless the Lord, for he has shown me his wonderful trustworthy love when my city was being attacked
Blest be the Lord for the wonderful love he has shown me in time of distress.
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.
For I had said in panic, ‘I am driven clean out of your sight.’ But you heard my plea, when I cried to you for help.
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.
Love the Lord, all you faithful; the Lord protects the loyal, but repays the haughty in full.
24 Be strong and be confident, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
Let your hearts be courageous and strong, all you who wait on the Lord.
