Psalm 71

Psalm 71

1 O LORD, I have come to you for protection;
don’t let me be disgraced.2 Save me and rescue me,
for you do what is right.
Turn your ear to listen to me,
and set me free.3 Be my rock of safety
where I can always hide.
Give the order to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked,
from the clutches of cruel oppressors.5 O Lord, you alone are my hope.
I’ve trusted you, O LORD, from childhood.6 Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!7 My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.8 That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.
Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.10 For my enemies are whispering against me.
They are plotting together to kill me.11 They say, “God has abandoned him.
Let’s go and get him,
for no one will help him now.”12 O God, don’t stay away.
My God, please hurry to help me.13 Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers.
Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.14 But I will keep on hoping for your help;
I will praise you more and more.15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words.t16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD.
I will tell everyone that you alone are just.17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.18 Now that I am old and gray,
do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.21 You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again.22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises,
for you have ransomed me.24 I will tell about your righteous deeds
all day long,
for everyone who tried to hurt me
has been shamed and humiliated.

PSALMS 71

A Prayer //for God's Protection

1 I run to you, [Lord],
for protection.
Don't disappoint me.

2 You do what is right,
so come to my rescue.
Listen to my prayer
and keep me safe.

3 Be my mighty rock, t the place
where I can always run
for protection.
Save me by your command!
You are my mighty rock
and my fortress.

4 Come and save me, [Lord] God,
from vicious and cruel
and brutal enemies!

5 I depend on you,
and I have trusted you
since I was young.

6 I have relied on yout
from the day I was born.
You brought me safely
through birth,
and I always praise you.

7 Many people think of me
as something evil.
But you are my mighty protector,

8 and I praise and honor you
all day long.

9 Don't throw me aside
when I am old;
don't desert me
when my strength is gone.

10 My enemies are plotting
because they want me dead.

11 They say, “Now we'll catch you!
God has deserted you,
and no one can save you.”

12 Come closer, God!
Please hurry and help.

13 Embarrass and destroy
all who want me dead;
disgrace and confuse
all who want to hurt me.

14 I will never give up hope
or stop praising you.

15 All day long I will tell
the wonderful things you do
to save your people.
But you have done much more
than I could possibly know.

16 I will praise you, [Lord] God,
for your mighty deeds
and your power to save.

17 You have taught me
since I was a child,
and I never stop telling about
your marvelous deeds.

18 Don't leave me when I am old
and my hair turns gray.
Let me tell future generations
about your mighty power.

19 Your deeds of kindness
are known in the heavens.
No one is like you!

20 You made me suffer a lot,
but you will bring me
back from this deep pit
and give me new life.

21 You will make me truly great
and take my sorrow away.

22 I will praise you, God,
the Holy One of Israel.
You are faithful.
I will play the harp
and sing your praises.

23 You have rescued me!
I will celebrate and shout,
singing praises to you
with all my heart.

24 All day long I will announce
your power to save.
I will tell how you disgraced
and disappointed those
who wanted to hurt me.