Psalms 31

For the choirmaster. A psalm of David.

1In you, O Yahweh, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me.

2Incline your ear to me; quickly rescue me. Be for me a rock of refuge, a fortified house to save me.

3For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you will lead me and guide me.

4Bring me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my stronghold.

5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Yahweh, faithful God.

6I hate those who regard worthless idols, but as for me, I trust in Yahweh.

7I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distresses of my soul.

8and you have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.

9Be gracious to me, O Yahweh, for I am in distress; my eye has wasted away with grief—my soul and my belly as well.

10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

11Because of all my enemies I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and a terror to my acquaintances; those who see me in public avoid me.

12I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I have become like a vessel that is lost.

13For I have heard the slander of many—terror on every side!—as they conspired together against me, plotting to take my life.

14But as for me, I trust in you, O Yahweh; I say, “You are my God.”

15My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my pursuers.

16Make your face shine on your servant; save me by your steadfast love.

17O Yahweh, let me not be put to shame, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them be silent in Sheol.

18Let lying lips be silenced—those that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.

19How abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and bestowed on those who take refuge in you, in the sight of all people.

20You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the schemes of man; you conceal them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

21Blessed be Yahweh, for he has wonderfully shown his steadfast love to me in a fortified city.

22As for me, I said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” Yet you heard the sound of my pleas when I cried to you for help.

23Love Yahweh, all his faithful ones! Yahweh preserves the faithful and fully repays the one who acts proudly.

24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for Yahweh.