In
you, Yahweh, I take refuge.
Let
me never be disappointed.
Deliver
me in your righteousness.
Bow
down your ear to me.
Deliver
me speedily.
Be
to me a strong rock,
a
house of defense to save me.
For
you are my rock and my fortress.
Therefore,
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.
Pluck
me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me,
for
you are my stronghold.
Into
your hand I commend my spirit.
You
redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.
I
am beset by those who regard lying vanities,
but
I trust in Yahweh.
I
will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness,
for
you have seen my affliction.
You
have known my soul in adversities.
You
have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy.
You
have set my feet in a large place.
Have
mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress.
My
eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.
For
my life is spent with sorrow,
my
years with sighing.
My
strength fails because of my iniquity.
My
bones are wasted away.
Because
of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors,
a
horror to my acquaintances.
Those
who saw me on the street fled from me.
I
am forgotten from their hearts.
I
am like broken pottery.
For
I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side,
while
they conspire together against me,
they
plot to take away my life.
But
I trust in you, Yahweh.
I
said, “You are my God.”
My
times are in your hand.
Deliver
me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
Make
your face to shine on your servant.
Save
me in your loving kindness.
Let
me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for I have called on you.
Let
the wicked be disappointed.
Let
them be silent.
Let
the lying lips be mute,
which
speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.
Oh
how great is your goodness,
which
you have laid up for those who revere you,
which
you have worked for those who take refuge in you,
before
the sons of men!
In
the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man.
You
will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.
Praise
be to Yahweh,
for
he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.
As
for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.”
Nevertheless
you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.
Oh
love Yahweh, all you his saints!
Yahweh
preserves the faithful.
Be
strong, and let your heart take courage,
all
you who hope in Yahweh.
Psalm 31
