Psalm 31

A Plea for Protection

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

1Lord, I seek refuge in you;

let me never be disgraced.

Save me by your righteousness.

2Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a mountain fortress to save me.

3For you are my rock and my fortress;

you lead and guide me

for your name’s sake.

4You will free me from the net

that is secretly set for me,

for you are my refuge.

5Into your hand I entrust my spirit;

you have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth.

6I hate those who are devoted to worthless idols,

but I trust in the Lord.

7I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love

because you have seen my affliction.

You know the troubles of my soul

8and have not handed me over to the enemy.

You have set my feet in a spacious place.

9Be gracious to me, Lord,

because I am in distress;

my eyes are worn out from frustration —

my whole being as well.

10Indeed, my life is consumed with grief

and my years with groaning;

my strength has failed

because of my iniquity,

and my bones waste away.

11I am ridiculed by all my adversaries

and even by my neighbors.

I am dreaded by my acquaintances;

those who see me in the street run from me.

12I am forgotten: gone from memory

like a dead person — like broken pottery.

13I have heard the gossip of many;

terror is on every side.

When they conspired against me,

they plotted to take my life.

14But I trust in you, Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

15The course of my life is in your power;

rescue me from the power of my enemies

and from my persecutors.

16Make your face shine on your servant;

save me by your faithful love.

17Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on you.

Let the wicked be disgraced;

let them be quiet in Sheol.

18Let lying lips

that arrogantly speak against the righteous

in proud contempt be silenced.

19How great is your goodness,

which you have stored up for those who fear you.

In the presence of everyone you have acted

for those who take refuge in you.

20You hide them in the protection of your presence;

you conceal them in a shelter

from human schemes,

from quarrelsome tongues.

21Blessed be the Lord,

for he has wondrously shown his faithful love to me

in a city under siege.

22In my alarm I said,

“I am cut off from your sight.”

But you heard the sound of my pleading

when I cried to you for help.

23Love the Lord, all his faithful ones.

The Lord protects the loyal,

but fully repays the arrogant.

24Be strong, and let your heart be courageous,

all you who put your hope in the Lord.