Psalm 31

1 In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed;

The Lord A Fortress in AdversityTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Deliver me in Your righteousness.

2 Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me.3 For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your names sake, Lead me and guide me.4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength.5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.6 I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the Lord.7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities,8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body!10 For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away.11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me.12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.13 For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life.14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, You are my God.15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies sake.17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave.18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.21 Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before Your eyes; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You.23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person.24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

PSALMS 31

A Prayer for Protection

1 I come to you, [Lord],
for protection.
Don't let me be ashamed.
Do as you have promised
and rescue me.

2 Listen to my prayer
and hurry to save me.
Be my mighty rockt
and the fortress
where I am safe.

3 You, [Lord] God,
are my mighty rock
and my fortress.
Lead me and guide me,
so that your name
will be honored.

4 Protect me from hidden traps
and keep me safe.

5  t You are faithful,
and I trust you
because you rescued me.

6 I hate the worshipers
of worthless idols,
but I trust you, [Lord].

7 I celebrate and shout
because you are kind.
You saw all my suffering,
and you cared for me.

8 You kept me from the hands
of my enemies,
and you set me free.

9 Have pity, [Lord]!
I am hurting and almost blind.
My whole body aches.

10 I have known only sorrow
all my life long, and I suffer
year after year.
I am weak from sin,
and my bones are limp.

11 My enemies insult me.
Neighbors are even worse,
and I disgust my friends.
People meet me on the street,
and they turn and run.

12 I am completely forgotten
like someone dead.
I am merely a broken dish.

13 I hear the crowds whisper,
“Everyone is afraid!”
They are plotting and scheming
to murder me.

14 But I trust you, [Lord],
and I claim you as my God.

15 My life is in your hands.
Save me from enemies
who hunt me down.

16 Smile on me, your servant.
Have pity and rescue me.

17 I pray only to you.
Don't disappoint me.
Disappoint my cruel enemies
until they lie silent
in their graves.

18 Silence those proud liars!
Make them stop bragging
and insulting your people.

19 You are wonderful,
and while everyone watches,
you store up blessings for all
who honor and trust you.

20 You are their shelter
from harmful plots,
and you are their protection
from vicious gossip.

21 I will praise you, [Lord],
for showing great kindness
when I was like a city
under attack.

22 I was terrified and thought,
“They've chased me
far away from you!”
But you answered my prayer
when I shouted for help.

23  t All who belong to the [Lord],
show how you love him.
The [Lord] protects the faithful,
but he severely punishes
everyone who is proud.

24 All who trust the [Lord],
be cheerful and strong.