Psalms 71

1By David, [a Psalm sung by] the sons of Jonadab, and the first that were taken captive. O Lord, I have hoped in thee: let me never be put to shame.

2In thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me: incline thine ear to me, and save me.

3Be to me a protecting God, and a strong hold to save me: for thou art my fortress and my refuge.

4Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, from the hand of the transgressor and unjust man.

5For thou art my support, O Lord; O Lord, [thou art] my hope from my youth.

6On thee have I been stayed from the womb: from the belly of my mother thou art my protector: of thee is my praise continually.

7I am become as it were a wonder to many; but thou art [my] strong helper.

8Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may hymn thy glory, [and] thy majesty all the day.

9Cast me not off at the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.

10For mine enemies have spoken against me; and they that lay wait for my soul have taken counsel together,

11saying, God has forsaken him: persecute ye and take him; for there is none to deliver [him].

12O God, go not far from me, O my God, draw nigh to my help.

13Let those that plot against my soul be ashamed and utterly fail: let those that seek my hurt be clothed with shame and dishonour.

14But I will hope continually, and will praise thee more and more.

15My mouth shall declare thy righteousness openly, [and] thy salvation all the day; for I am not acquainted with the affairs [of men].

16I will go on in the might of the Lord: O Lord, I will make mention of thy righteousness only.

17O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and until now will I declare thy wonders;

18even until I am old and advanced in years. O God, forsake me not; until I shall have declared thine arm to all the generation that is to come:

19even thy power and thy righteousness, O God, up to the highest [heavens, even] the mighty works which thou hast done: O God, who is like to thee?

20What afflictions many and sore hast thou shewed me! yet thou didst turn and quicken me, and broughtest me again from the depths of the earth.

21Thou didst multiply thy righteousness, and didst turn and comfort me, and broughtest me again out of the depths of the earth.

22I will also therefore give thanks to thee, O God, [because of] thy truth, on an instrument of psalmody: I will sing psalms to thee on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.

23My lips shall rejoice when I sing to thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24Moreover also my tongue shall dwell all the day upon thy righteousness; when they shall be ashamed and confounded that seek my hurt.