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