Psalm 31:1–18

¹Lord, I have gone to you for safety.

Don’t let me ever be put to shame.

Save me, because you do what is right.

²Pay attention to me.

Come quickly to help me.

Be the rock I go to for safety.

Be the strong fort that saves me.

³You are my rock and my fort.

Lead me and guide me for the honor of your name.

⁴Free me from the trap that is set for me.

You are my place of safety.

⁵Into your hands I commit my very life.

Lord, set me free. You are my faithful God.

⁶I hate those who worship worthless statues of gods.

I trust in the Lord.

⁷I will be glad and full of joy because you love me.

You saw that I was hurting.

You took note of my great pain.

⁸You have not handed me over to the enemy.

You have put me in a wide and safe place.

⁹Lord, show me your favor. I’m in deep trouble.

I’m so sad I can hardly see.

My whole body grows weak with sadness.

¹⁰Pain has taken over my life.

My years are spent in groaning.

I have no strength because I’m hurting so much.

My body is getting weaker and weaker.

¹¹My neighbors make fun of me

because I have so many enemies.

My friends are afraid of me.

Those who see me on the street run away from me.

¹²They have forgotten me. I might as well be dead.

I have become like broken pottery.

¹³I hear the lies many people tell about me.

There is terror all around me.

Many have joined together against me.

They plan to kill me.

¹⁴But I trust in you, Lord.

I say, “You are my God.”

¹⁵My whole life is in your hands.

Save me from my enemies.

Save me from those who are chasing me.

¹⁶Let your face smile on me with favor.

Save me because your love is faithful.

¹⁷Lord, I have cried out to you.

Don’t let me be put to shame.

But let sinners be put to shame.

Let them lie silent in the grave.

¹⁸Their lips tell lies. Let them be silenced.

They speak with pride against those who do right.

They make fun of them.