Psalm 31a

31:1–4pp—Ps 71:1–3

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;v

let me never be put to shame;

deliver me in your righteousness.w

2 Turn your ear to me,x

come quickly to my rescue;y

be my rock of refuge,z

a strong fortress to save me.

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,a

for the sake of your nameb lead and guide me.

4 Keep me free from the trapc that is set for me,

for you are my refuge.d

5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;e

deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.f

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;g

as for me, I trust in the Lord.h

7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

for you saw my afflictioni

and knew the anguishj of my soul.

8 You have not given me into the handsk of the enemy

but have set my feet in a spacious place.l

9 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;m

my eyes grow weak with sorrow,n

my soul and bodyo with grief.

10 My life is consumed by anguishp

and my years by groaning;q

my strength failsr because of my affliction,b s

and my bones grow weak.t

11 Because of all my enemies,u

I am the utter contemptv of my neighborsw

and an object of dread to my closest friends—

those who see me on the street flee from me.

12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;x

I have become like broken pottery.

13 For I hear many whispering,y

“Terror on every side!”z

They conspire against mea

and plot to take my life.b

14 But I trustc in you, Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

15 My timesd are in your hands;

deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shinee on your servant;

save me in your unfailing love.f

17 Let me not be put to shame,g Lord,

for I have cried out to you;

but let the wicked be put to shame

and be silenth in the realm of the dead.

18 Let their lying lipsi be silenced,

for with pride and contempt

they speak arrogantlyj against the righteous.

19 How abundant are the good thingsk

that you have stored up for those who fear you,

that you bestow in the sight of all,l

on those who take refugem in you.

20 In the sheltern of your presence you hideo them

from all human intrigues;p

you keep them safe in your dwelling

from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the Lord,q

for he showed me the wonders of his lover

when I was in a city under siege.s

22 In my alarmt I said,

“I am cut offu from your sight!”

Yet you heard my cryv for mercy

when I called to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!w

The Lord preserves those who are true to him,x

but the proud he pays backy in full.

24 Be strong and take heart,z

all you who hope in the Lord.