Psalms 71

1LORD, I have made you my refuge; never let me be disgraced. 2Because you are just, rescue me and set me free; bend down to listen to me, and save me. 3Be a rock I can live in, a place I can always come to. You have given the order to save me, since you yourself are my crag and my stronghold. 4My God, pull me out of the clutches of the wicked, out of the grip of the unjust and the cruel. 5For you are my hope, Lord GOD; I have trusted in you since I was young. 6I have leaned on you from birth; it was you who drew me from my mother’s body. I will praise you without ceasing. 7To many I have become a sign that makes them wonder, but you are my strong shelter. 8My mouth is full of praise for you; all day long I speak of your glory. 9Do not throw me aside now that I am old; do not abandon me as my strength gives out. 10For my enemies are talking about me; those who are waiting to take my life are plotting together, 11and they say, “God has abandoned him. Go after him and grab him, for no one will save him.” 12God, do not stay far away from me; my God, come quickly and help me! 13Let my accusers be put to shame and brought to nothing; let those who want to hurt me be wrapped in scorn and dishonor. 14As for me, I will never stop hoping; I will add to your praise again and again. 15My mouth will tell of your righteousness and of your saving help all day long, though they are more than I can count. 16I will come and tell of the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD; I will call to mind your righteousness, yours and no one else’s. 17God, you have been teaching me since I was young, and I am telling of your wonders still. 18Now that I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, not until I have told the generation after me what your arm has done, and made your power known to all who are yet to be born. 19God, your righteousness rises as high as the heavens; you have done mighty things. God, who is there like you? 20You have made me see many troubles and hard times, but you will bring me back to life, and raise me once more out of the deep places of the earth. 21Make me greater than before, and turn to comfort me once more. 22I in turn will thank you to the music of the harp; my God, I will praise your faithfulness. With the lyre I will play for you, Holy One of Israel. 23My lips will ring out with joy as I sing your praise, and so will my whole self, which you have set free. 24All day long my tongue will speak of your righteousness, for the people who sought my hurt are ashamed and humbled.