Psalms 31
1 For the end, a Psalm of David, [an utterance] of extreme fear. O Lord, I have hoped in you; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in your righteousness and rescue me.
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.
2 Incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me: be you to me for a protecting God, and for a house of refuge to save me.
Please listen to me, and be quick to rescue me. Be my rock of protection, my strong fortress of safety.
3 For you are my strength and my refuge; and you shall guide me for your name's sake, and maintain me.
You are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your reputation, please lead me and guide me.
4 You shall bring me out of the snare which they have hidden for me; for you, O Lord, are my defender.
Help me escape from the hidden net that they set to trap me, for you are the one who protects me.
5 Into your hands I will commit my spirit: you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
I put myself in your hands. Save me, Lord, for you are a trustworthy God.
6 You has hated them that idly persist in vanities: but I have hoped in the Lord.
I hate those who devote themselves to pointless idols; I trust in the Lord.
7 I will exult and be glad in your mercy: for you have looked upon mine affliction; you have saved my soul from distresses.
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.
8 And you have not shut me up into the hands of the enemy: you have set my feet in a wide place.
You haven't handed me over to my enemies; you have set me free.
9 Pity me, O Lord, for I am afflicted: my eye is troubled with indignation, my soul and by belly.
Be kind to me Lord, for I am upset. I can hardly see from so much crying. I am completely wasting away.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with groanings: my strength has been weakened through poverty, and my bones are troubled.
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.
11 I became a reproach among all mine enemies, but exceedingly so to my neighbors, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that saw me without fled from me.
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.
12 I have been forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am become as a broken vessel.
I have been forgotten as if I were dead; I'm ignored like a broken pot.
13 For I heard the slander of many that lived round about: when they were gathered together against me, they took counsel to take my life.
I hear many people whispering about me; terror surrounds me. They plot together against me, planning to kill me.
14 But I hoped in you, O Lord: I said, You are my God.
But I put my trust in you, Lord, saying, “You are my God!”
15 My lots are in your hands: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies,
My whole life is in your hands! Save me from those who hate me and persecute me!
16 and from them that persecute me. Make your face to shine upon your servant: save me in your mercy.
May you look kindly on me, your servant. Save me because of your trustworthy love.
17 O Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon you: let the ungodly be ashamed, and brought down to Hades. (Sheol h7585)
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)
18 Let the deceitful lips become dumb, which speak iniquity against the righteous with pride and scorn.
Shut the mouths of those who tell lies against good people—those who speak contemptuously in their pride and arrogance!
19 How abundant is the multitude of your goodness, O Lord, which you have laid up for them that fear you! you have wrought [it] out for them that hope on you, in the presence of the sons of men.
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.
20 You will hide them in the secret of your presence from the vexation of man: you will screen them in a tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues.
You shelter and protect them with your presence, far from their enemies who scheme against them. You keep them safe from attacks and accusations.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he has magnified his mercy in a fortified city.
Bless the Lord, for he has shown me his wonderful trustworthy love when my city was being attacked
22 But I said in my extreme fear, I am cast out from the sight of your eyes: therefore you did listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication when I cried to you.
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.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints: for the Lord seeks for truth, and renders [a reward] to them that deal very proudly.
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.
24 Be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened, all you that hope in the Lord.
Be strong and be confident, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
