Psalm 31

Psalm 31

31:1-4^pp — Ps 71:1–3

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

^*In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;^a

let me never be put to shame;

deliver me in your righteousness.^b

Turn your ear to me,^c

come quickly to my rescue;^d

be my rock of refuge,^e

a strong fortress to save me.

Since you are my rock and my fortress,^f

for the sake of your name^g lead and guide me.

Keep me free from the trap^h that is set for me,

for you are my refuge.ⁱ

Into your hands I commit my spirit;^j

redeem me, Lord, my faithful God.^k

I hate those who cling to worthless idols;^l

as for me, I trust in the Lord.^m

I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

for you saw my afflictionⁿ

and knew the anguish^o of my soul.

You have not given me into the hands^p of the enemy

but have set my feet in a spacious place.^q

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;^r

my eyes grow weak with sorrow,^s

my soul and body^t with grief.

My life is consumed by anguish^u

and my years by groaning;^v

my strength fails^w because of my affliction,^x

and my bones grow weak.^y

Because of all my enemies,^z

I am the utter contempt^a of my neighbors;^b

I am a dread to my friends—

those who see me on the street flee from me.

I am forgotten as though I were dead;^c

I have become like broken pottery.

For I hear many whispering,^d

“Terror on every side!”^e

They conspire against me^f

and plot to take my life.^g

But I trust^h in you, Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

My timesⁱ are in your hands;

deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine^j on your servant;

save me in your unfailing love.^k

Let me not be put to shame,^l Lord,

for I have cried out to you;

but let the wicked be put to shame

and be silent^m in the realm of the dead.

Let their lying lipsⁿ be silenced,

for with pride and contempt

they speak arrogantly^o against the righteous.

How great is your goodness,^p

which you have stored up for those who fear you,

which you bestow in the sight of all^q

on those who take refuge^r in you.

In the shelter^s of your presence you hide^t them

from all human intrigues;^u

you keep them safe in your dwelling

from accusing tongues.

Praise be to the Lord,^v

for he showed me the wonders of his love^w

when I was in a city under siege.^x

In my alarm^y I said,

“I am cut off^z from your sight!”

Yet you heard my cry^a for mercy

when I called to you for help.

Love the Lord, all his faithful people!^b

The Lord preserves those who are true to him,^c

but the proud he pays back^d in full.

Be strong and take heart,^e

all you who hope in the Lord.