Psalm 31

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1        In thee, O Lord, I put my trust,

                   sham'd let me never be;

          According to thy righteousness

                   do thou deliver me.

2        Bow down thine ear to me, with speed

                   send me deliverance:

          To save me, my strong rock be thou,

                   and my house of defence.

3        Because thou art my rock, and thee

                   I for my fortress take;

          Therefore do thou me lead and guide,

                   ev'n for thine own name's sake.

4        And sith thou art my strength, therefore

                   pull me out of the net,

          Which they in subtilty for me

                   so privily have set.

5        Into thine hands I do commit

                   my sp'rit: for thou art he,

          O thou, JEHOVAH, God of truth,

                   that hast redeemed me.

6        Those that do lying vanities

                   regard, I have abhorr'd:

          But as for me, my confidence

                   is fixed on the Lord.

7        I'll in thy mercy gladly joy:

                   for thou my miseries

          Consider'd hast; thou hast my soul

                   known in adversities:

8        And thou hast not inclosed me

                   within the en'my's hand;

          And by thee have my feet been made

                   in a large room to stand.

9        O Lord, upon me mercy have,

                   for trouble is on me:

          Mine eye, my belly, and my soul,

                   with grief consumed be.

10      Because my life with grief is spent,

                   my years with sighs and groans:

          My strength doth fail; and for my sin

                   consumed are my bones.

11      I was a scorn to all my foes,

                   and to my friends a fear;

          And specially reproach'd of those

                   that were my neighbours near:

          When they me saw they from me fled.

12               Ev'n so I am forgot,

          As men are out of mind when dead:

                   I'm like a broken pot.

13      For slanders I of many heard;

                   fear compass'd me, while they

          Against me did consult, and plot

                   to take my life away.

14      But as for me, O Lord, my trust

                   upon thee I did lay;

          And I to thee, Thou art my God,

                   did confidently say.

15      My times are wholly in thine hand:

                   do thou deliver me

          From their hands that mine enemies

                   and persecutors be.

16      Thy countenance to shine do thou

                   upon thy servant make:

          Unto me give salvation,

                   for thy great mercies' sake.

17      Let me not be asham'd, O Lord,

                   for on thee call'd I have:

          Let wicked men be sham'd, let them

                   be silent in the grave.

18      To silence put the lying lips,

                   that grievous things do say,

          And hard reports, in pride and scorn,

                   on righteous men do lay.

19      How great's the goodness thou for them

                   that fear thee keep'st in store,

          And wrought'st for them that trust in thee

                   the sons of men before!

20      In secret of thy presence thou

                   shalt hide them from man's pride:

          From strife of tongues thou closely shalt,

                   as in a tent, them hide.

21      All praise and thanks be to the Lord;

                   for he hath magnify'd

          His wondrous love to me within

                   a city fortify'd.

22      For from thine eyes cut off I am,

                   I in my haste had said;

          My voice yet heard'st thou, when to thee

                   with cries my moan I made.

23      O love the Lord, all ye his saints;

                   because the Lord doth guard

          The faithful, and he plenteously

                   proud doers doth reward.

24      Be of good courage, and he strength

                   unto your heart shall send,

          All ye whose hope and confidence

                   doth on the Lord depend.