Psalms 31

Psalm 311

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!2

31:2 Listen to me!3

Quickly deliver me!

Be my protector and refuge,4

a stronghold where I can be safe!5

31:3 For you are my high ridge6 and my stronghold;

for the sake of your own reputation7 you lead me and guide me.8

31:4 You will free me9 from the net they hid for me,

for you are my place of refuge.

31:5 Into your hand I entrust my life;10

you will rescue11 me, O Lord, the faithful God.

31:6 I hate those who serve worthless idols,12

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.13

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

you enable me to stand14 in a wide open place.

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

My eyes grow dim15 from suffering.16

I have lost my strength.17

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

my years draw to a close as I groan.18

My strength fails me because of19 my sin,

and my bones become brittle.20

31:11 Because of all my enemies, people disdain me;21

my neighbors are appalled by my suffering22

those who know me are horrified by my condition;23

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

31:12 I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about;24

I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar.25

31:13 For I hear what so many are saying,26

the terrifying news that comes from every direction.27

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!28

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

31:16 Smile29 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!30

31:18 May lying lips be silenced –

lips31 that speak defiantly against the innocent32

with arrogance and contempt!

31:19 How great is your favor,33

which you store up for your loyal followers!34

In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter35 in you.36

31:20 You hide them with you, where they are safe from the attacks37 of men;38

you conceal them in a shelter, where they are safe from slanderous attacks.39

31:21 The Lord deserves praise40

for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies.41

31:22 I jumped to conclusions and said,42

“I am cut off from your presence!”43

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

31:23 Love the Lord, all you faithful followers44 of his!

The Lord protects those who have integrity,

but he pays back in full the one who acts arrogantly.45

31:24 Be strong and confident,46

all you who wait on the Lord!

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