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 Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. In you, LORD, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.

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

Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defence to save me.

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

For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.

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

Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.

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

Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, LORD, 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, but 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 be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.

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

You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large 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 on me, LORD, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.

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 spent with sorrow, my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity. My bones are wasted 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.

Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbours, a horror to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me.

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

I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. I am like broken pottery.

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

For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.

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

But I trust in you, LORD. I said, “You are my God.”

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

My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute 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 loving kindness.

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 disappointed, LORD, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be 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!

Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride 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.

Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, 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.

In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.

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

Praise be to the LORD, for he has shown me his marvellous loving kindness in a strong 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.

As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.

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.

Oh love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.

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

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.