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The Prayer of an Elderly Person

71 Lord, I have come to you for protection;
    never let me be defeated!
Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.
    Listen to me and save me!
Be my secure shelter
    and a strong fortress[a] to protect me;
    you are my refuge and defense.

My God, rescue me from wicked people,
    from the power of cruel and evil people.
Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you;
    I have trusted in you since I was young.
I have relied on you all my life;
    you have protected[b] me since the day I was born.
    I will always praise you.

My life has been an example to many,
    because you have been my strong defender.
All day long I praise you
    and proclaim your glory.
Do not reject me now that I am old;
    do not abandon me now that I am feeble.
10 My enemies want to kill me;
    they talk and plot against me.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him;
    let's go after him and catch him;
    there is no one to rescue him.”

12 Don't stay so far away, O God;
    my God, hurry to my aid!
13 May those who attack me
    be defeated and destroyed.
May those who try to hurt me
    be shamed and disgraced.
14 I will always put my hope in you;
    I will praise you more and more.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 71:3 One ancient translation a strong fortress; Hebrew to go always you commanded.
  2. Psalm 71:6 Some ancient translations protected; Hebrew unclear.

Psalm 71(A)

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;(B)
    let me never be put to shame.(C)
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear(D) to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.(E)
Deliver(F) me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,(G)
    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.(H)

For you have been my hope,(I) Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence(J) since my youth.
From birth(K) I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.(L)
    I will ever praise(M) you.
I have become a sign(N) to many;
    you are my strong refuge.(O)
My mouth(P) is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor(Q) all day long.

Do not cast(R) me away when I am old;(S)
    do not forsake(T) me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies(U) speak against me;
    those who wait to kill(V) me conspire(W) together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken(X) him;
    pursue him and seize him,
    for no one will rescue(Y) him.”
12 Do not be far(Z) from me, my God;
    come quickly, God, to help(AA) me.
13 May my accusers(AB) perish in shame;(AC)
    may those who want to harm me
    be covered with scorn and disgrace.(AD)

14 As for me, I will always have hope;(AE)
    I will praise you more and more.

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