Psalm 31:1-24
To the director. A melody of David.
31 In you, O Jehovah, I have taken refuge.+
May I never be put to shame.+
Rescue me because of your righteousness.+
2 Incline your ear* to me.
Come quickly to my rescue.+
Become for me a mountain stronghold,A fortified place to save me.+
3 For you are my crag and my stronghold;+For the sake of your name,+ you will lead me and guide me.+
4 You will free me from the net that they have secretly laid for me,+For you are my fortress.+
5 Into your hand I entrust my spirit.+
You have redeemed me, O Jehovah, the God of truth.*+
6 I hate those who are devoted to worthless, vain idols,But as for me, I trust in Jehovah.
7 I will rejoice greatly in your loyal love,For you have seen my affliction;+You are aware of my deep distress.*
8 You have not handed me over to the enemy,But you make me stand in a place of safety.*
9 Show me favor, O Jehovah, for I am in distress.
Anguish has made my eyes weak,+ my whole body* as well.+
10 My life is consumed with grief+And my years with groaning.+
My strength is waning because of my error;My bones grow weak.+
11 I am scorned by all my adversaries,+Especially my neighbors.
And I am dreaded by my acquaintances;When they see me in public, they flee from me.+
12 I am put out of their heart* and forgotten, as if I were dead;I am like a broken jar.
13 I have heard many evil rumors;Terror surrounds me.+
When they gather together as one against me,They scheme to take away my life.*+
14 But I trust in you, O Jehovah.+
I declare: “You are my God.”+
15 My days* are in your hand.
Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those persecuting me.+
16 Make your face shine upon your servant.+
Save me by your loyal love.
17 O Jehovah, may I not be put to shame when I call on you.+
May the wicked be put to shame;+May they be silenced in the Grave.*+
18 May lying lips become speechless,+Lips that speak arrogantly against the righteous, with haughtiness and contempt.
19 How abundant your goodness is!+
You have stored it up for those who fear you,+And you have shown it before all men, in behalf of those taking refuge in you.+
20 You will conceal them in the secret place of your presence+From the schemes of men;You will hide them in your shelterFrom malicious attacks.*+
21 May Jehovah be praised,For in a wonderful way, he has shown his loyal love to me+ in a besieged city.+
22 As for me, I panicked and said:
“I will perish from before you.”+
But you heard my pleas for help when I cried out to you.+
23 Love Jehovah, all you who are loyal to him!+
Jehovah protects the faithful,+But he repays exceedingly anyone showing haughtiness.+
24 Be courageous, and may your heart be strong,+All you who are waiting for Jehovah.+
Footnotes
^ Or “Bend down and listen.”
^ Or “the faithful God.”
^ Or “the distresses of my soul.”
^ Or “a roomy place.”
^ Or “my soul and my belly.”
^ Or “mind.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Lit., “times.”
^ Lit., “From the quarreling of tongues.”