Psalm 71
To you, Lord, have I come for shelter
: let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness rescue and deliver me
: incline your ear to me and save me.
Be for me a rock of refuge, a fortress to defend me
: for you are my high rock, and my stronghold.
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked
: from the grasp of the pitiless and unjust.
For you, Lord, are my hope
: you are my confidence, O God, from my youth upward.
On you have I leaned since my birth
: you are he that brought me out of my mother’s womb,
and my praise is of you continually.
I have become as a fearful warning to many
: but you are my strength and my refuge.
My mouth shall be filled with your praises
: I shall sing of your glory all the day long.
Cast me not away in the time of old age
: nor forsake me when my strength fails.
For my enemies speak against me
: and those that watch for my life conspire together, saying,
‘God has forsaken him
: pursue him, take him, for there is none to save him.’
Be not far from me, O God
: my God, make haste to help me.
Let my adversaries be confounded and put to shame
: let those who seek my hurt be covered with scorn and disgrace.
As for me, I will wait in hope continually
: and I will praise you more and more.
My mouth shall speak of your righteousness all the day
: and tell of your salvation, though it exceeds my telling.
I will begin with the mighty acts of the Lord my God
: and declare your righteous dealing
yours alone.
O God, you have taught me from my youth upward :
and to this day, I proclaim your marvellous works.
Forsake me not, O God, in my old age, when I am grey-headed :
till I have shown the strength of your arm to future generations,
and your might to those that come after.
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens :
great are the things that you have done; O God, who is like you?
You have burdened me with many and bitter troubles,
O turn and renew me :
and raise me up again from the depths of the earth.
Bless me beyond my former greatness :
O turn to me again, and comfort me.
Then will I praise you upon the lute for your faithfulness, O my God :
and sing your praises to the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall rejoice in my singing :
and my soul also, for you have ransomed me.
My tongue shall speak of your righteous dealing all the day long :
for they shall be put to shame and disgraced that seek to do me evil.