The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Psalms 031
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge.
Let me never be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Bow down your ear to me.
Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock,
a house of defense to save me.
3 For you are my rock and my fortress,
therefore for your name’s sake lead
me and guide me.
4 Pluck me out ofthe netthatthey have laid
secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.
5 Into your hand I commend my spirit.
You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.
6 I hate those who regard lying vanities,
but I trust in Yahweh.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your loving
kindness, for you have seen my affliction.
You have known my soul in adversities.
8 You have not shut me up into the hand of
the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.
9 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in
distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste
away with grief.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
my years with sighing. My strength fails
because of my iniquity. My bones are wasted away.
11 Because of all my adversaries I have
become utterly contemptible to my
neighbors, a horror to my acquaintances.
Those who saw me on the street fled
from me.
12 I am forgotten from their hearts like a
dead man. I am like broken pottery.
13 For I have heard the slander of many,
terror on every side, while they conspire
together against me, they plot to take away my life.
14 But I trust in you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine on your servant.
Save me in your loving kindness.
17 Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for
I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed.
Let them be silent in Sheol.†
18 Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the
righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.
19 Oh how great is your goodness,
which you have laid up for those who
fear you, which you have worked for those who
take refuge in you, before the sons of men!
20 In the shelter of your presence you will
hide them from the plotting of man.
You will keep them secretly in a
dwelling away from the strife of
tongues.
21 Praise be to Yahweh, for he has shown
me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.
22 As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off
from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of
my petitions when I cried to you.
23 Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints!
Yahweh preserves the faithful,
and fully recompenses him who behaves
arrogantly.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take
courage, all you who hope in Yahweh.