Psalms 71

1 Yahweh, I have come to you to (get refuge/be protected); never allow me to become ashamed [because of being defeated].

Lord, you are the one who keeps me safe; please don't disappoint me.

2 Because you always do what is right, help me and rescue me; listen to me, and save me!

Save me, rescue me, because you always do what is right.

3 Be [like an overhanging] rock [MET] under which I [can be] safe/protected; [be like] a strong fortress in which I am safe [DOU]. You [continually] command (OR, [Continually] command) [your angels] to rescue me.

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.

4 God, rescue me from wicked [people], from the power of unjust and evil men.

My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of those who are evil and brutal.

5 Yahweh, my Lord, you are the one whom I confidently expect [to help me]; I have trusted in you since I was young.

For you, Lord God, are my hope. You are the one I have trusted since I was young.

6 I have depended on you all my life; you have taken care of me [IDM] since the day that I was born, [so] I will always praise you.

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!

7 The manner in which I have conducted my life has been an example to many [people], because [they realize that] you have been my strong defender.

My life has been like a miracle to many people, for you have been my powerful protector.

8 I praise you all day long, and I proclaim that you are glorious/wonderful.

All day long I am full of praise for you, telling how wonderful you are!

9 Now, when I have become an old man, do not reject/abandon me; do not abandon me now, when I am not strong any more.

Don't reject me now I'm getting old. When my strength is gone, please don't abandon me.

10 My enemies say [that they want to kill] me; they plan together [how they can do that].

For my enemies are talking about me; those who want to kill me are plotting together.

11 They say [about me], “God has abandoned him; so now we can pursue him and seize him, because there is no one who will rescue him.”

They say, “God has given up on him. Let's go after him because there's no one to save him.”

12 God, do not stay far away from me; hurry to help me!

God, please don't stay away from me. My God, hurry to help me!

13 Cause those who (accuse me/say that I have done things that are wrong) to be defeated and destroyed; cause those who want to harm me to be shamed and disgraced.

Defeat my accusers, get rid of them! May those who want to cause me trouble be covered with shame and disgrace!

14 But [as for me], I will continually and confidently expect [you to do great things for me], and I will praise you more and more.

As for me, I will go on hoping in you, and I will praise you more and more.

15 I will tell people that you do what is right; all day long I will tell people how you have saved me, although what you have done is more than I can fully understand.

I will talk about your goodness and your salvation every day, even though it's more than I can understand.

16 Yahweh, my Lord, I will praise you for your mighty deeds; I will proclaim that only you always act justly.

I will come and explain what the Lord has done. I will remind people that you alone do what is right.

17 God, you have taught me [many/those things] ever since I was young, and I still tell people about your wonderful deeds.

God, you have taught me since I was young, and I still tell others about all the wonderful things you do.

18 And now, God, when I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me. [Stay with me] while I continue to proclaim to my children and grandchildren [HYP] that you are [very] powerful!

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.

19 God, you do many righteous deeds; [it is as though] they extend up to the sky. You have done great things; there is no one like you [RHQ].

God, your trustworthy and true nature is higher than the highest heaven! You have done incredible things! God, who is like you?

20 You have caused me to have many troubles and to suffer much, [but] you will cause me to become strong again; when I am almost dead [HYP], you will keep me alive.

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.

21 You will cause me to be greatly honored and you will encourage/comfort me again.

You will give me even greater prestige, and you will make me happy again.

22 I will also praise you [while I play] my harp; I will praise you, my God, for faithfully [doing what you have promised to do]. I will play hymns to praise you, the holy God whom [we] Israelis [worship].

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.

23 I [SYN] will shout joyfully while I play [the harp] for you; with my entire inner being I will sing because you have rescued me.

I will shout for joy as I sing praises to you, for you have redeemed me.

24 All day long I will tell people that you act righteously, because those who wanted to harm me will have been defeated and disgraced.

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.