Psalms 31

1 Lord, I have trusted in you; never let me be put to shame. Rescue me and pull me out by your righteousness.

2 Turn your ear toward me; hurry to pull me out. Become my defending God and a house of refuge to save me.

3 You are my strength and refuge. For your name’s sake, you will guide and sustain me.

4 You will bring me out of this trap they hid for me, because you are my defender.

5 I will entrust my spirit into your hands. You ransomed me, Lord God of truth.

6 You hated those who cling pointlessly to futile things, but I trusted in the Lord.

7 I will celebrate and rejoice in your mercy, because you saw my humiliation and saved my soul from distress.

8 You did not shut me into the enemy’s hands; you set my feet in a spacious place.

9 Show me mercy, Lord, because I am afflicted. My eye, soul, and belly were troubled by anger.

10 My life has wasted away in pain and my years in groaning. My strength grew weak in poverty, and my bones were troubled.

11 I became a reproach to all my enemies, especially to my neighbors, and a terror to those who knew me. Those who saw me outside fled from me.

12 I was forgotten like a dead person, out of mind; I became like a ruined vessel.

13 I heard the reproach of many living around me. When they gathered together against me, they plotted to take my life.

14 But I trusted in you, Lord. I said, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in your hands. Rescue me from my enemies’ hand and from those who pursue me.

16 Make your face shine upon your servant; save me by your mercy.

17 Lord, do not let me be put to shame, because I called on you. Let the ungodly be put to shame and brought down to Hades.

18 Let deceitful lips fall silent—lips that speak lawlessness against the righteous with arrogance and contempt.

19 How abundant is the kindness you stored up for those who fear you, Lord! You accomplished it for those who trust in you before human beings.

20 You will hide them in the secret of your presence from human turmoil; you will shelter them in a tent from quarreling tongues.

21 Blessed is the Lord, because he made his mercy wonderful in a fortified city.

22 In my extreme fear I said, “I have been cast away from your sight.” Therefore you listened to the voice of my plea when I cried out to you.

23 Love the Lord, all who are holy to him! The Lord seeks truth and repays those who act with excessive arrogance.

24 Be courageous, and let your heart be strong, all who trust in the Lord.