Psalm 31

A Plea for Protection

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1 Lord, I seek refuge in You;

let me never be disgraced. e

Save me by Your righteousness.

2 Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a mountain fortress to save me. f

3 For You are my rock and my fortress; g

You lead and guide me

because of Your name. h

4 You will free me from the net

that is secretly set for me,

for You are my refuge. i

5 Into Your hand I entrust my spirit; j

You redeem k me, Lord, God of truth. l

6 I m hate those who are devoted to worthless idols,

but I trust in the Lord. n

7 I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful love

because You have seen my affliction.

You have known the troubles of my life o

8 and have not handed me over to the enemy. p

You have set my feet in a spacious place. q

9 Be gracious to me, Lord,

because I am in distress; r

my eyes are worn out from angry sorrow—

my whole being s as well. t

10 Indeed, my life is consumed with grief

and my years with groaning; u

my strength has failed

because of my sinfulness, v

and my bones waste away. w

11 I am ridiculed by all my adversaries

and even by my neighbors.

I am dreaded by my acquaintances;

those who see me in the street run from me. x

12 I am forgotten: gone from memory

like a dead person—like broken pottery. y

13 I have heard the gossip of many;

terror is on every side. z

When they conspired against me,

they plotted to take my life. a

14 But I trust in You, Lord;

I say, “You are my God.” b

15 The course of my life is in Your power; c

deliver me from the power of my enemies

and from my persecutors. d

16 Show Your favor to Your servant;

save me by Your faithful love. e

17 Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on You. f

Let the wicked be disgraced;

let them be silent g h in * Sheol. i

18 Let lying lips be quieted; j

they speak arrogantly against the righteous

with pride and contempt. k

19 How great is Your goodness

that You have stored up for those who * fear You

and accomplished in the sight of * everyone

for those who take refuge in You. l

20 You hide them in the protection of Your presence;

You conceal them in a shelter m

from the schemes of men,

from quarrelsome tongues. n

21 May the Lord be praised,

for He has wonderfully shown His faithful love to me

in a city under siege. o p

22 In my alarm I had said,

“I am cut off from Your sight.” q

But You heard the sound of my pleading

when I cried to You for help. r

23 Love the Lord, all His faithful ones. s

The Lord protects the loyal,

but fully repays the arrogant. t

24 Be strong u and courageous,

all you who put your hope in the Lord. v