Psalm 3124

For the music director; a psalm of David.

31:1 In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter!

Never let me be humiliated!

Vindicate me by rescuing me!1

31:2 Listen to me!2

Quickly deliver me!

Be my protector and refuge,3

a stronghold where I can be safe!4

31:3 For you are my high ridge5 and my stronghold;

for the sake of your own reputation6 you lead me and guide me.7

31:4 You will free me8 from the net they hid for me,

for you are my place of refuge.

31:5 Into your hand I entrust my life;9

you will rescue10 me, O Lord, the faithful God.

31:6 I hate those who serve worthless idols,11

but I trust in the Lord.

31:7 I will be happy and rejoice in your faithfulness,

because you notice my pain

and you are aware of how distressed I am.12

31:8 You do not deliver me over to the power of the enemy;

you enable me to stand13 in a wide open place.

31:9 Have mercy on me, for I am in distress!

My eyes grow dim14 from suffering.15

I have lost my strength.16

31:10 For my life nears its end in pain;

my years draw to a close as I groan.17

My strength fails me because of18 my sin,

and my bones become brittle.19

31:11 Because of all my enemies, people disdain me;20

my neighbors are appalled by my suffering21—

those who know me are horrified by my condition;22

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

31:12 I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about;23

I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar.24

31:13 For I hear what so many are saying,25

the terrifying news that comes from every direction.26

When they plot together against me,

they figure out how they can take my life.

31:14 But I trust in you, O Lord!

I declare, “You are my God!”

31:15 You determine my destiny!27

Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me.

31:16 Smile28 on your servant!

Deliver me because of your faithfulness!

31:17 O Lord, do not let me be humiliated,

for I call out to you!

May evil men be humiliated!

May they go wailing to the grave!29

31:18 May lying lips be silenced—

lips30 that speak defiantly against the innocent31

with arrogance and contempt!

31:19 How great is your favor,32

which you store up for your loyal followers!33

In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter34 in you.35

31:20 You hide them with you, where they are safe from the attacks36 of men;37

you conceal them in a shelter, where they are safe from slanderous attacks.38

31:21 The Lord deserves praise39

for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies.40

31:22 I jumped to conclusions and said,41

“I am cut off from your presence!”42

But you heard my plea for mercy when I cried out to you for help.

31:23 Love the Lord, all you faithful followers43 of his!

The Lord protects those who have integrity,

but he pays back in full the one who acts arrogantly.44

31:24 Be strong and confident,45

all you who wait on the Lord!