Psalms 31

A Plea for Protection

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

1 Lord, I seek refuge in you;

let me never be disgraced.  * 31:1 Ps 25:2

Save me by your righteousness.

2 Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a mountain fortress to save me.  * 31:2 Ps 71:1–2

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;  * 31:3 Ps 18:2; 71:3

you lead and guide me

for your name’s sake.  * 31:3 Ps 23:3; 25:11

4 You will free me from the net

that is secretly set for me,

for you are my refuge.  * 31:4 Ps 25:15; 46:1

5 Into your hand I entrust my spirit;  * 31:5 Lk 23:46

you have redeemed me,  * 31:5 Or spirit. Redeem meLord, God of truth.  * 31:5 Ps 25:5

6 I  * 31:6 One Hb ms, LXX, Syr, Vg, Jer read You hate those who are devoted to worthless idols,

but I trust in the  Lord.  * 31:6 Ps 26:5; Jnh 2:8

7 I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love

because you have seen my affliction.

You know the troubles of my soul  * 31:7 Ps 10:14

8 and have not handed me over to the enemy.  * 31:8 Dt 32:30

You have set my feet in a spacious place.  * 31:8 Jb 36:16

9 Be gracious to me, Lord,

because I am in distress;  * 31:9 Ps 69:17

my eyes are worn out from frustration —

my whole being  * 31:9 Lit my soul and my belly as well.  * 31:9 Ps 6:7; 63:1

10 Indeed, my life is consumed with grief

and my years with groaning;  * 31:10 Ps 102:3

my strength has failed

because of my iniquity,  * 31:10 LXX, Syr, Sym read affliction

and my bones waste away.  * 31:10 Ps 32:3; 38:3

11 I am ridiculed by all my adversaries

and even by my neighbors.

I am dreaded by my acquaintances;

those who see me in the street run from me.  * 31:11 Jb 19:13; Ps 38:11; 88:8,18

12 I am forgotten: gone from memory

like a dead person — like broken pottery.  * 31:12 Ps 88:5; Ec 9:5

13 I have heard the gossip of many;

terror is on every side.  * 31:13 Jr 6:25; 20:10; 46:5; 49:29

When they conspired against me,

they plotted to take my life.  * 31:13 Ps 41:7; Mt 27:1

14 But I trust in you, Lord;

I say, "You are my God."  * 31:14 Ps 140:6

15 The course of my life is in your power;  * 31:15 Jb 14:5; 24:1

rescue me from the power of my enemies

and from my persecutors.  * 31:15 Ps 59:1

16 Make your face shine on your servant;  * 31:16 Nm 6:25

save me by your faithful love.  * 31:16 Ps 6:4; 119:135

17 Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on you.  * 31:17 Ps 25:2–3,20

Let the wicked be disgraced;

let them be quiet  * 31:17 LXX reads brought down,* 31:17 Or them wail in Sheol.  * 31:17 Ps 94:17; 115:17

18 Let lying lips  * 31:18 Ps 120:2

that arrogantly speak against the righteous

in proud contempt be silenced.  * 31:18 1Sm 2:3; Ps 94:4

19 How great is your goodness,

which you have stored up for those who fear you.

In the presence of everyone  * 31:19 Or of the descendants of Adam you have acted

for those who take refuge in you.  * 31:19 Ps 5:11; 23:5

20 You hide them in the protection of your presence;  * 31:20 Ps 17:8

you conceal them in a shelter

from human schemes,

from quarrelsome tongues.  * 31:20 Ps 27:5; 32:7

21 Blessed be the Lord,

for he has wondrously shown his faithful love to me

in a city under siege.  * 31:21 Ps 28:6

22 In my alarm I said,

"I am cut off from your sight."  * 31:22 Ps 88:5; Is 38:11–12

But you heard the sound of my pleading

when I cried to you for help.  * 31:22 Ps 66:19; 145:19

23 Love the Lord, all his faithful ones.  * 31:23 Ps 30:4

The Lord protects the loyal,

but fully repays the arrogant.  * 31:23 Ps 94:2; Jms 4:6; 1Pt 5:5

24 Be strong, and let your heart be courageous,  * 31:24 Dt 31:23; Jos 1:9

all you who put your hope in the  Lord.  * 31:24 Ps 27:14