Psalms 31

1 A psalm of David. For the music director. Lord, you are the one who keeps me safe; please don't let me ever be humiliated. Save me, because you always do what is right.

For the Leader. A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Thy righteousness.

2 Please listen to me, and be quick to rescue me. Be my rock of protection, my strong fortress of safety.

Incline Thine ear unto me, deliver me speedily; be Thou to me a rock of refuge, even a fortress of defence, to save me.

3 You are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your reputation, please lead me and guide me.

For Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for Thy name's sake lead me and guide me.

4 Help me escape from the hidden net that they set to trap me, for you are the one who protects me.

Bring me forth out of the net that they have hidden for me; for Thou art my stronghold.

5 I put myself in your hands. Save me, Lord, for you are a trustworthy God.

Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, Thou God of truth.

6 I hate those who devote themselves to pointless idols; I trust in the Lord.

I hate them that regard lying vanities; but I trust in the LORD.

7 I will celebrate, happy in your love that never fails, for you have seen the problems I face and have paid attention to my troubles.

I will be glad and rejoice in Thy lovingkindness; for Thou hast seen mine affliction, Thou hast taken cognizance of the troubles of my soul,

8 You haven't handed me over to my enemies; you have set me free.

And Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a broad place.

9 Be kind to me Lord, for I am upset. I can hardly see from so much crying. I am completely wasting away.

Be gracious unto me, O LORD, for I am in distress; mine eye wasteth away with vexation, yea, my soul and my body.

10 Grief is killing me; my life is cut short by sadness; I am falling apart because of my troubles; I am worn to the bone.

For my life is spent in sorrow, and my years in sighing; my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.

11 I am ridiculed by my enemies, particularly by my neighbors. My friends dread meeting me; people who see me in the street run the other way.

Because of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach, yea, unto my neighbours exceedingly, and a dread to mine acquaintance; they that see me without flee from me.

12 I have been forgotten as if I were dead; I'm ignored like a broken pot.

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a useless vessel.

13 I hear many people whispering about me; terror surrounds me. They plot together against me, planning to kill me.

For I have heard the whispering of many, terror on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

14 But I put my trust in you, Lord, saying, “You are my God!”

But as for me, I have trusted in Thee, O LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my God.'

15 My whole life is in your hands! Save me from those who hate me and persecute me!

My times are in Thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

16 May you look kindly on me, your servant. Save me because of your trustworthy love.

Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; save me in Thy lovingkindness.

17 Lord, don't let me be disgraced, for I'm calling out to you. Instead let the wicked be disgraced, let them be silent in the grave. (Sheol h7585)

O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon Thee; let the wicked be ashamed, let them be put to silence in the nether-world. (Sheol h7585)

18 Shut the mouths of those who tell lies against good people—those who speak contemptuously in their pride and arrogance!

Let the lying lips be dumb, which speak arrogantly against the righteous, with pride and contempt.

19 How wonderful is the goodness you have reserved for those who honor you! In front of everyone you give this goodness to those who come to you for help.

Oh how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that take their refuge in Thee, in the sight of the sons of men!

20 You shelter and protect them with your presence, far from their enemies who scheme against them. You keep them safe from attacks and accusations.

Thou hidest them in the covert of Thy presence from the plottings of man; Thou concealest them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

21 Bless the Lord, for he has shown me his wonderful trustworthy love when my city was being attacked

Blessed be the LORD; for He hath shown me His wondrous lovingkindness in an entrenched city.

22 Terrified I cried out, “I am being destroyed right in front of you!” But you heard my cry when I called out for you to help me.

As for me, I said in my haste: 'I am cut off from before Thine eyes'; nevertheless Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto Thee.

23 Love the Lord, all you who trust in him! The Lord takes care of those who trust him, but he pays back in full those who are arrogant.

O love the LORD, all ye His godly ones; the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully repayeth him that acteth haughtily.

24 Be strong and be confident, all you who put your hope in the Lord.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all ye that wait for the LORD.