Psalm 31

In you I’ve taken refuge, LORD;

You are my shelter in distress.

O let me never be ashamed,

But save me in your righteousness.

LORD, turn your ear to hear my cry;

Come quickly to deliver me,

And be my rock and firm defence,

My stronghold and security.

You are my fortress and my rock;

For your name’s sake be my sure guide.

Preserve me from the trap that’s set;

You are the refuge where I hide.

Redeem me, LORD, O God of truth;

My spirit I commit to you.

I hate all those who trust false gods;

I trust the LORD, for he is true.

I will rejoice and take delight

In all the love that you have shown,

For my affliction you have seen;

To you my soul’s distress is known.

You have not left me to my foe

Or given me into his hand;

But you have set my feet within

A spacious place where I may stand.

Be merciful to me, O LORD,

For my distress knows no relief;

My eyes grow weak with sorrow’s tears,

My soul and body with my grief.

My life in anguish is consumed;

My years pass by with many groans.

Through misery my strength has failed,

And greatly weakened are my bones.

Because of all my enemies

My neighbours treat me scornfully;

I’m viewed with dread by all my friends—

They see me coming and they flee.

I am forgotten as though dead,

Not even spared a passing thought;

I’m like a jar that’s cast away,

A useless, broken, shattered pot.

I hear the slander many spread,

And terror stalks me all the way.

Against me enemies conspire;

They plot to take my life away.

But as for me, I trust you, LORD;

I say, “You are my God alone.”

My times are ever in your hands;

Save me from foes who hunt me down.

Upon your servant shine your face;

Save me in your unfailing love.

LORD, let me not be put to shame,

For I have cried to God above.

But let the wicked suffer shame

And silent in the grave abide.

Suppress the lying lips which speak

Against the just with haughty pride.

Your goodness, LORD, is very great—

Prepared for those who fear your name.

You show your goodness openly

To all who your protection claim.

Your presence hides and shelters them

From those who plot to take their life,

And in your tent you keep them safe

From evil tongues that stir up strife.

The LORD be praised because he showed

The wonder of his love to me,

When in a city I was trapped,

Surrounded by the enemy.

In my alarm I rashly said

That I was hidden from your eyes;

But when I called to you for help,

In grace you listened to my cries.

O love the LORD, all you his saints!

The faithful will be kept by God,

But he will give the proud their due.

Be strong, take heart; hope in the LORD.