Psalms Chapter 31

For the Choir Director. A Psalm of David

¹ I take refuge in you, Yahveh;

      never let me be disgraced;

      in your goodness protect me.

² Listen to me, rescue me quickly;

      be a rock for me,

      a strong fortress to save me.

³ You’re my rock and fortress;

      for your honor, lead me and guide me.

⁴ Free me out of the trap people secretly laid for me

      because you’re my protection.

⁵ I’m entrusting my spirit to you;

      rescue me, Yahveh, true God.

Ps 31:1-5

⁶ I detest those who respect worthless idols;                          

      I trust in you, Yahveh.

⁷ I’ll be happy in your enduring love,

      because you see my difficulties

            and know the trouble I’m in,

         ⁸because you haven’t handed me over to my enemies;

            you’ve set me on a spacious place.

Ps 31:6-8

⁹ Be gracious to me in my distress, Yahveh;

      my eyes are melting away with grief,

      my soul and body are getting weak as well

                  ¹⁰because I live in constant sorrow;

                           I spend my years in sighing.

      My strength is failing because of sin;

            my body is wasting away.

¹¹ Because I have so many enemies,

         my neighbors despise me,

            my acquaintances abhor me,

            and people shun me in the streets.

¹² I’m forgotten like someone long dead,

         out of mind like a broken pot.

¹³ I hear people’s slander;

                  there’s terror on every side;

       my enemies conspire against me

            and lay plots to kill me.

Ps 31:9-13

¹⁴ But I trust you, Yahveh;

      I swear, “You’re my God.”

¹⁵ My future’s in your hands;

         rescue me from my enemies,

            from those who persecute me.

¹⁶ Smile at me;

      save me with your enduring love.

¹⁷ Don’t let my enemies disgrace me, Yahveh,

                  because I’m calling on you.

      Put sinners to disgrace;

            let them be silent in Sheol.

¹⁸ Make lying lips be mute

      that insult the good with pride and contempt.

Ps 31:14-18

¹⁹ How great your goodness is

      that you’ve stored up for those who respect you,

      that you’ve shown to people that take refuge in you

            so others can see.

²⁰ You secretly hide them with you away from people’s plots,

         and shelter them from the conflict that tongues can cause.

²¹ Bless Yahveh

      because he showed me his enduring love

      when I was surrounded like a city under siege.

²² I despaired in my alarm, “I can’t see you!”

         but you heard my appeal.

Ps 31:19-22

²³ Love Yahveh, all you holy people!

      He preserves the faithful

            and repays those who act arrogantly.

²⁴ Be strong and courageous,

      you that rest your hopes in him!

Ps 31:23-24