Psalm 31

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.footnote a

3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.footnote b

13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.

17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.footnote c

18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.footnote d

19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.footnote e

22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge;let me never be put to shame;save me by Your righteousness. 2Incline Your ear to me;come quickly to my rescue.Be my rock of refuge,the stronghold of my deliverance.

3For You are my rock and my fortress;lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name. 4You free me from the net laid out for me,for You are my refuge. 5Into Your hands I commit my spirit;footnote aYou have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.

6I hatefootnote bthose who cling to worthless idols,but in the LORD I trust. 7I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion,for You have seen my affliction;You have known the anguish of my soul. 8You have not delivered me to the enemy;You have set my feet in the open.

9Be merciful to me, O LORD,for I am in distress;my eyes fail from sorrow,my soul and body as well. 10For my life is consumed with griefand my years with groaning;my iniquity has drained my strength,and my bones are wasting away. 11Among all my enemies I am a disgrace,and among my neighbors even more.I am dreaded by my friends—they flee when they see me on the street. 12I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind.I am like a broken vessel. 13For I hear the slander of many;there is terror on every side.They conspire against meand plot to take my life.

14But I trust in You, O LORD;I say, “You are my God.” 15My times are in Your hands;deliver me from my enemiesand from those who pursue me. 16Make Your face shine on Your servant;save me by Your loving devotion.

17O LORD, let me not be ashamed,for I have called on You.Let the wicked be put to shame;let them lie silent in Sheol. 18May lying lips be silenced—lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous,full of pride and contempt.

19How great is Your goodnesswhich You have laid up for those who fear You,which You have bestowed before the sons of menon those who take refuge in You! 20You hide them in the secret place of Your presencefrom the schemes of men.You conceal them in Your shelterfrom accusing tongues.

21Blessed be the LORD,for He has shown me His loving devotionin a city under siege. 22In my alarm I said,“I am cut off from Your sight!”But You heard my plea for mercywhen I called to You for help.

23Love the LORD, all His saints.The LORD preserves the faithful,but fully repays the arrogant. 24Be strong and courageous,all you who hope in the LORD.