< Psalms 31 >
1 “To the chief musician, a psalm of David.” In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; Oh that I may never be put to shame: through thy righteousness do thou release me.
2 Bend unto me thy ear; speedily deliver me: be thou unto me as a rock of protection, as a mountain strong-hold to save me.
3 For my rock and my stronghold art thou; and for the sake of thy name lead me, and guide me.
4 Draw me out of the net which they have laid secretly for me; for thou art my protection.
5 Into thy hand do I commit my spirit: thou redeemest me, O Lord, the God of truth.
6 I hate those that depend on lying vanities; but I trust indeed in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy kindness; because thou hast seen my misery; thou hast taken cognizance of the distresses of my soul;
8 And thou hast not surrendered me into the hand of the enemy: thou hast caused my feet to stand on an ample space.
9 Be gracious unto me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is consumed through vexation—my soul [too] and my body.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing, my strength faileth because of my iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11 Because of all my assailants am I become a reproach, and unto my neighbors greatly so, and a terror to my acquaintance, those that see me abroad flee away from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of the heart: I am become like a perishable vessel.
13 For I have heard the slandering of many; terror was on every side, while they took counsel together against me: to take away my life did they purpose.
14 But I trusted well in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 In thy hand are my destinies: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from my persecutors.
16 Let thy face shine upon thy servant: save me through thy kindness.
17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame; for I have called on thee: let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent, [passing] to the nether world. (Sheol )
18 Let the lying lips be made dumb, which speak hard things against the righteous, with pride and contempt.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast treasured up for those that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for those that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou wilt conceal them in the secret of thy presence from the conspiracy of men: thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shown me his kindness wonderfully in a beleaguered city.
22 And yet had I said in my despondency, I am cut off from before thy eyes: nevertheless thou didst hear the voice of my supplications when I cried loudly unto thee.
23 Oh love the Lord, all ye his pious ones: the Lord preserveth the faithful, and recompenses the presumption of him that acteth proudly.
24 Be strong, and let your heart be of good courage, all ye that hope in the Lord.
