Psalms 71
1 Lord, you are the one who keeps me safe; please don't disappoint me.
In you, O Lord, I take refuge, let me never be put to shame.
2 Save me, rescue me, because you always do what is right.
In your faithfulness save me and rescue me, bend your ear to me and save me.
3 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.
Be to me a rock of defence, a fortified house, to save me; for my rock and my fortress are you.
4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of those who are evil and brutal.
Save me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
5 For you, Lord God, are my hope. You are the one I have trusted since I was young.
For you, Lord, are my hope, in whom from my youth I have trusted.
6 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!
On you have I leaned from my birth; from my mother’s womb it was you who did draw me. In you is my hope evermore.
7 My life has been like a miracle to many people, for you have been my powerful protector.
I have been as a wonder to many, for you are my refuge and strength.
8 All day long I am full of praise for you, telling how wonderful you are!
All the day long my mouth is filled with your praise and your glory.
9 Don't reject me now I'm getting old. When my strength is gone, please don't abandon me.
Cast me not off in the time of old age; when my strength is spent, forsake me not.
10 For my enemies are talking about me; those who want to kill me are plotting together.
For my foes whisper against me, they who watch me take counsel together;
11 They say, “God has given up on him. Let's go after him because there's no one to save him.”
‘God has left him,’ they say: ‘pursue and seize him, for he is helpless.’
12 God, please don't stay away from me. My God, hurry to help me!
O God, be not far from me, haste, O my God, to my help.
13 Defeat my accusers, get rid of them! May those who want to cause me trouble be covered with shame and disgrace!
Put my foes to shame and dishonour, with insult and shame be they covered.
14 As for me, I will go on hoping in you, and I will praise you more and more.
But I will never stop hoping, and more and yet more will I praise you.
15 I will talk about your goodness and your salvation every day, even though it's more than I can understand.
All the day long shall my mouth tell your faithfulness and your salvation, though I know not how they may be counted.
16 I will come and explain what the Lord has done. I will remind people that you alone do what is right.
I will tell of the might of the Lord, and your faithfulness praise, you alone.
17 God, you have taught me since I was young, and I still tell others about all the wonderful things you do.
You have taught me, O God, from my youth, and till now have I told of your wonders.
18 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.
Even in old age and grey hair, O God, do not forsake me. Still would I tell of your might unto all generations to come.
19 God, your trustworthy and true nature is higher than the highest heaven! You have done incredible things! God, who is like you?
Your power and your justice, O God, extend as far as the heavens: for great are the things you have done. Who is like you, O God?
20 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.
You have caused us to see troubles many, but you will revive us again. From the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will give me even greater prestige, and you will make me happy again.
You will multiply my greatness, and comfort me again.
22 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.
So with harp I will praise you, and your faithfulness, O my God; and make music to you on the lyre, O you Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy as I sing praises to you, for you have redeemed me.
My lips shall ring out their joy, my mouth shall sing praises to you; all of me, which you have redeemed.
24 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.
Yes, all the day long shall my tongue utter your righteousness; for ashamed and confounded are they who were seeking my hurt.
