Psalm 71

1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

2Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

3Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.footnote a

4Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

6By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

7I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

8Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

9Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

10For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,footnote b

11Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

12O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

13Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

14But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

15My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

16I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

17O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.footnote cfootnote d

19Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

20Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

21Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

22I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.footnote e

23My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

Be My Rock of Refuge

1In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge;let me never be put to shame. 2In Your justice, rescue and deliver me;incline Your ear and save me. 3Be my rock of refuge,where I can always go.Give the command to save me,for You are my rock and my fortress. 4Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.

5For You are my hope, O Lord GOD,my confidence from my youth. 6I have leaned on You since birth;You pulled me from my mother’s womb.My praise is always for You. 7I have become a portent to many,but You are my strong refuge. 8My mouth is filled with Your praiseand with Your splendor all day long.

9Do not discard me in my old age;do not forsake me when my strength fails. 10For my enemies speak against me,and those who lie in wait for my life conspire, 11saying, “God has forsaken him;pursue him and seize him,for there is no one to rescue him.”

12Be not far from me, O God.Hurry, O my God, to help me. 13May the accusers of my soulbe ashamed and consumed;may those who seek my harmbe covered with scorn and disgrace.

14But I will always hopeand will praise You more and more. 15My mouth will declare Your righteousnessand Your salvation all day long,though I cannot know their full measure. 16I will come in the strength of the Lord GOD;I will proclaim Your righteousness—Yours alone.

17O God, You have taught me from my youth,and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds. 18Even when I am old and gray,do not forsake me, O God,until I proclaim Your power to the next generation,Your might to all who are to come. 19Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God,You who have done great things.Who, O God, is like You?

20Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes,You will revive me once again.Even from the depths of the earthYou will bring me back up. 21You will increase my honorand comfort me once again.

22So I will praise You with the harpfor Your faithfulness, O my God;I will sing praise to You with the lyre,O Holy One of Israel. 23When I sing praise to Youmy lips will shout for joy,along with my soul,which You have redeemed. 24My tongue will indeed proclaimYour righteousness all day long,for those who seek my harmare disgraced and confounded.