Psalms 71

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

In you, LORD, I take refuge. Never let me be disappointed.

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

Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me.

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.

Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

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

Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

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 are my hope, Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth.

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 relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise 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.

I am a marvel to many, but you are my strong refuge.

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

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your honour all day long.

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 in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails.

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

For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire 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.”

saying, “God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him.”

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

God, don’t be far 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.

Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.

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.

But I will always hope, and will add to all of your praise.

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.

My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.

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

I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord GOD. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.

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 from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

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!

Yes, even when I am old and grey-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.

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 righteousness also reaches to the heavens. You have done great 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, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth.

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

Increase my honour and comfort me 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].

I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with 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.

My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!

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.

My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long, for they are disappointed, and they are confounded, who want to harm me.