Psalm 71

1  I have taken refuge in you, O Lord. 

Never let me be put to shame. 

2  Rescue me and free me because of your righteousness. 

Turn your ear toward me, and save me. 

3  Be a rock on which I may live, 

a place where I may always go. 

You gave the order to save me! 

Indeed, you are my rock and my fortress. 

4  My God, free me from the hands of a wicked person, 

from the grasp of one who is cruel and unjust. 

5  You are my hope, O Almighty Lord. 

You have been my confidence ever since I was young. 

6  I depended on you before I was born. 

You took me from my mother’s womb. 

My songs of praise constantly speak about you. 

7  I have become an example to many people, 

but you are my strong refuge. 

8  My mouth is filled with your praise, 

with your glory all day long. 

9  Do not reject me when I am old 

or abandon me when I lose my strength. 

10  My enemies talk about me. 

They watch me as they plot to take my life. 

11  They say, “God has abandoned him. 

Pursue him and grab him because there is no one to rescue him.” 

12  O God, do not be so distant from me. 

O my God, come quickly to help me. 

13  Let those who accuse me come to a shameful end. 

Let those who want my downfall be covered 

with disgrace and humiliation. 

14  But I will always have hope. 

I will praise you more and more. 

15  My mouth will tell about your righteousness, 

about your salvation all day long. 

Even then, it is more than I can understand. 

16  I will come with the mighty deeds of the Almighty Lord. 

I will praise your righteousness, yours alone. 

17  O God, you have taught me ever since I was young, 

and I still talk about the miracles you have done. 

18  Even when I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. 

Let me live to tell the people of this age 

what your strength has accomplished, 

to tell about your power to all who will come. 

19  Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God. 

You have done great things. 

O God, who is like you? 

20  You have made me endure many terrible troubles. 

You restore me to life again. 

You bring me back from the depths of the earth. 

21  You comfort me and make me greater than ever. 

22  Because of your faithfulness, O my God, 

even I will give thanks to you as I play on a lyre. 

I will make music with a harp to praise you, O Holy One of Israel. 

23  My lips will sing with joy when I make music to praise you. 

My soul, which you have rescued, also will sing joyfully. 

24  My tongue will tell about your righteousness all day long, 

because those who wanted my downfall 

have been disgraced and put to shame.