Psalm 71

By David, a Psalm sung by the sons of Jonadab, and the first that were taken captive.

In you, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.

Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; incline your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock and my refuge, where I may always return; you have promised to help me, for you are my stronghold and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly, out of the hand of the unrighteous and the cruel.

For you, O Lord God, are the one I long for; you are my hope, even from my youth.

Through you have I been upheld ever since I was born; you took me out of my mother’s womb; my praise shall be always of you.

I have become a portent to many; but you are my refuge and my strength.

O let my mouth be filled with your praise, that I may sing of your glory all the day long.

Cast me not away in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails me.

For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together. They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”

Go not far from me, O God; my God, make haste to help me.

Let those who are my adversaries be confounded and perish; let those who seek to do me evil be covered with shame and dishonor.

As for me, I will always patiently abide, and will praise you more and more.

My mouth shall speak daily of your righteousness and salvation, for I know not the end of them.

I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God, and will make mention of your righteousness, yours alone.

You, O God, have taught me from my youth; even to this day I am telling of your wondrous works.

Forsake me not, O God, in my old age, when I am gray-headed, until I have proclaimed your strength to this generation, and your power to all those who are yet to come.

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; you have done great things. Who is like you, O God?

Oh, what great troubles and adversities you have shown me! And yet you have turned and refreshed me; indeed, you have brought me again from the depths of the earth.

You have brought me to great honor and comforted me on every side;

Therefore will I praise you and your faithfulness, O God, playing on a stringed instrument; to you will I sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.