Psalm 31

Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.
¹In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
   do not let me ever be put to shame;
   in your righteousness deliver me.
²Incline your ear to me;
   rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
   a strong fortress to save me.

³You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
   for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
⁴take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
   for you are my refuge.
⁵Into your hand I commit my spirit;
   you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

⁶You hate^* those who pay regard to worthless idols,
   but I trust in the Lord.
⁷I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
   because you have seen my affliction;
   you have taken heed of my adversities,
⁸and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
   you have set my feet in a broad place.

⁹Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
   my eye wastes away from grief,
   my soul and body also.
¹⁰For my life is spent with sorrow,
   and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,^*
   and my bones waste away.

¹¹I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
   a horror^* to my neighbours,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
   those who see me in the street flee from me.
¹²I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
   I have become like a broken vessel.
¹³For I hear the whispering of many—
   terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
   as they plot to take my life.

¹⁴But I trust in you, O Lord;
   I say, ‘You are my God.’
¹⁵My times are in your hand;
   deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
¹⁶Let your face shine upon your servant;
   save me in your steadfast love.