Psalms 71
71
Prayer in Time of Old Age
I
1In you, Lord, I take refuge;#Ps 31:2–4.
let me never be put to shame.#Ps 25:2.
2In your justice rescue and deliver me;
listen to me and save me!
3Be my rock of refuge,
my stronghold to give me safety;
for you are my rock and fortress.#Ps 18:3.
4My God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked,
from the clutches of the evil and violent.#Ps 140:2.
5You are my hope, Lord;
my trust, God, from my youth.
6On you I have depended since birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength;#Ps 22:11.
my hope in you never wavers.
7#A portent to many: the afflictions of the sufferer are taken as a manifestation of God’s anger, cf. Dt 28:46; Ps 31:12.I have become a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge!
8My mouth shall be filled with your praise,
shall sing your glory every day.
II
9Do not cast me aside in my old age;
as my strength fails, do not forsake me.
10For my enemies speak against me;
they watch and plot against me.#Ps 3:2; 22:8.
11They say, “God has abandoned him.
Pursue, and seize him!
No one will come to the rescue!”
12God, be not far from me;
my God, hasten to help me.#Ps 22:20.
13Bring to a shameful end
those who attack me;
Cover with contempt and scorn
those who seek my ruin.#Ps 35:4; 40:15; 70:3.
14I will always hope in you
and add to all your praise.
15My mouth shall proclaim your just deeds,
day after day your acts of deliverance,
though I cannot number them all.#Ps 35:28.
16I will speak of the mighty works of the Lord;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
III
17God, you have taught me from my youth;
to this day I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18Now that I am old and gray,#Is 46:3–4.
do not forsake me, God,
That I may proclaim your might
to all generations yet to come,#Ps 22:31–32; 48:14–15; 145:4.
Your power 19and justice, God,
to the highest heaven.
You have done great things;#Ps 72:18.
O God, who is your equal?#Ps 86:8.
20Whatever bitter afflictions you sent me,
you would turn and revive me.
From the watery depths of the earth
once more raise me up.
21Restore my honor;
turn and comfort me,
22That I may praise you with the lyre
for your faithfulness, my God,
And sing to you with the harp,
O Holy One of Israel!
23My lips will shout for joy as I sing your praise;
my soul, too, which you have redeemed.
24Yes, my tongue shall recount
your justice day by day.
For those who sought my ruin
have been shamed and disgraced.
Currently Selected:
Psalms 71: NABRE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Psalms 71
71
A Prayer for God's Protection
1I run to you, Lord,
for protection.
Don't disappoint me.
2You do what is right,
so come to my rescue.
Listen to my prayer
and keep me safe.
3Be my mighty rock,#71.3 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2. the place
where I can always run
for protection.
Save me by your command!
You are my mighty rock
and my fortress.
4Come and save me, Lord God,
from vicious and cruel
and brutal enemies!
5I depend on you,
and I have trusted you
since I was young.
6I have relied on you#71.6 I … you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
from the day I was born.
You brought me safely
through birth,
and I always praise you.
7Many people think of me
as something evil.
But you are my mighty protector,
8and I praise and honor you
all day long.
9Don't throw me aside
when I am old;
don't desert me
when my strength is gone.
10My enemies are plotting
because they want me dead.
11They say, “Now we'll catch you!
God has deserted you,
and no one can save you.”
12Come closer, God!
Please hurry and help.
13Embarrass and destroy
all who want me dead;
disgrace and confuse
all who want to hurt me.
14I will never give up hope
or stop praising you.
15All day long I will tell
the wonderful things you do
to save your people.
But you have done much more
than I could possibly know.
16I will praise you, Lord God,
for your mighty deeds
and your power to save.
17You have taught me
since I was a child,
and I never stop telling about
your marvelous deeds.
18Don't leave me when I am old
and my hair turns gray.
Let me tell future generations
about your mighty power.
19Your deeds of kindness
are known in the heavens.
No one is like you!
20You made me suffer a lot,
but you will bring me
back from this deep pit
and give me new life.
21You will make me truly great
and take my sorrow away.
22I will praise you, God,
the Holy One of Israel.
You are faithful.
I will play the harp
and sing your praises.
23You have rescued me!
I will celebrate and shout,
singing praises to you
with all my heart.
24All day long I will announce
your power to save.
I will tell how you disgraced
and disappointed those
who wanted to hurt me.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.