Psalm 71

1In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter!

Never let me be humiliated!

2Vindicate me by rescuing me!

Listen to me! Deliver me!

3Be my protector and refuge,

a stronghold where I can be safe!

For you are my high ridge and my stronghold.

4My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked,

from the hand of the cruel oppressor!

5For you give me confidence, O Lord;

O Lord, I have trusted in you since I was young.

6I have leaned on you since birth;

you pulled me from my mother’s womb.

I praise you continually.

7Many are appalled when they see me,

but you are my secure shelter.

8I praise you constantly

and speak of your splendor all day long.

9Do not reject me in my old age!

When my strength fails, do not abandon me!

10For my enemies talk about me;

those waiting for a chance to kill me plot my demise.

11They say, “God has abandoned him.

Run and seize him, for there is no one who will rescue him!”

12O God, do not remain far away from me!

My God, hurry and help me!

13May my accusers be humiliated and defeated!

May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace!

14As for me, I will wait continually,

and will continue to praise you.

15I will tell about your justice,

and all day long proclaim your salvation,

though I cannot fathom its full extent.

16I will come and tell about the mighty acts of the sovereign Lord.

I will proclaim your justice – yours alone.

17O God, you have taught me since I was young,

and I am still declaring your amazing deeds.

18Even when I am old and gray,

O God, do not abandon me,

until I tell the next generation about your strength,

and those coming after me about your power.

19Your justice, O God, extends to the skies above;

you have done great things.

O God, who can compare to you?

20Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress,

revive me once again!

Bring me up once again from the depths of the earth!

21Raise me to a position of great honor!

Turn and comfort me!

22I will express my thanks to you with a stringed instrument,

praising your faithfulness, O my God!

I will sing praises to you accompanied by a harp,

O Holy One of Israel!

23My lips will shout for joy! Yes, I will sing your praises!

I will praise you when you rescue me!

24All day long my tongue will also tell about your justice,

for those who want to harm me will be embarrassed and ashamed.