September 29, 2005

PSALM 71

Psalm 711
71:1 In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter!
Never let me be humiliated!
71:2 Vindicate me by rescuing me!2
Listen to me!3 Deliver me!4
71:3 Be my protector and refuge,5
a stronghold where I can be safe!6
For you are my high ridge7 and my stronghold.
71:4 My God, rescue me from the power8 of the wicked,
from the hand of the cruel oppressor!
71:5 For you give me confidence,9 O sovereign Master;
O Lord, I have trusted in you since I was young.10
71:6 I have leaned on you since birth;11
you pulled me12 from my mother’s womb.
I praise you continually.13
71:7 Many are appalled when they see me,14
but you are my secure shelter.
71:8 I praise you constantly
and speak of your splendor all day long.15
71:9 Do not reject me in my old age!16
When my strength fails, do not abandon me!
71:10 For my enemies talk about me;
those waiting for a chance to kill me plot my demise.17
71:11 They say,18 “God has abandoned him.
Run and seize him, for there is no one who will rescue him!”
71:12 O God, do not remain far away from me!
My God, hurry and help me!19
71:13 May my accusers be humiliated and defeated!
May those who want to harm me20 be covered with scorn and disgrace!
71:14 As for me, I will wait continually,
and will continue to praise you.21
71:15 I will tell about your justice,
and all day long proclaim your salvation,22
though I cannot fathom its full extent.23
71:16 I will come and tell about24 the mighty acts of the sovereign Lord.
I will proclaim your justice—yours alone.
71:17 O God, you have taught me since I was young,
and I am still declaring25 your amazing deeds.
71:18 Even when I am old and gray,26
O God, do not abandon me,
until I tell the next generation about your strength,
and those coming after me about your power.27
71:19 Your justice, O God, extends to the skies above;28
you have done great things.29
O God, who can compare to you?30
71:20 Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress,31
revive me once again!32
Bring me up once again33 from the depths of the earth!
71:21 Raise me to a position of great honor!34
Turn and comfort me!35
71:22 I will express my thanks to you with a stringed instrument,
praising36 your faithfulness, O my God!
I will sing praises to you accompanied by a harp,
O sovereign king of Israel!37
71:23 My lips will shout for joy! Yes,38 I will sing your praises!
I will praise you when you rescue me!39
71:24 All day long my tongue will also tell about your justice,
for those who want to harm me40 will be embarrassed and ashamed.41

(NET Bible)