Add parallel Print Page Options

(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

A Prayer for Protection

I come to you, Lord,
for protection.
    Don't let me be ashamed.
Do as you have promised
    and rescue me.
Listen to my prayer
    and hurry to save me.
Be my mighty rock[a]
and the fortress
    where I am safe.

You, Lord God,
are my mighty rock
    and my fortress.
Lead me and guide me,
so that your name
    will be honored.
Protect me from hidden traps
    and keep me safe.
(A) You are faithful,
and I trust you
    because you rescued me.

I hate the worshipers
of worthless idols,
    but I trust you, Lord.
I celebrate and shout
    because you are kind.
You saw all my suffering,
    and you cared for me.
You kept me from the hands
of my enemies,
    and you set me free.

Have pity, Lord!
I am hurting and almost blind.
    My whole body aches.
10 I have known only sorrow
all my life long, and I suffer
    year after year.
I am weak from sin,
    and my bones are limp.

11 My enemies insult me.
Neighbors are even worse,
    and I disgust my friends.
People meet me on the street,
    and they turn and run.
12 I am completely forgotten
like someone dead.
    I am merely a broken dish.
13 I hear the crowds whisper,
    “Everyone is afraid!”
They are plotting and scheming
    to murder me.

14 But I trust you, Lord,
    and I claim you as my God.
15 My life is in your hands.
Save me from enemies
    who hunt me down.
16 Smile on me, your servant.
    Have pity and rescue me.

17 I pray only to you.
    Don't disappoint me.
Disappoint my cruel enemies
until they lie silent
    in their graves.
18 Silence those proud liars!
Make them stop bragging
    and insulting your people.

19 You are wonderful,
    and while everyone watches,
you store up blessings for all
    who honor and trust you.
20 You are their shelter
    from harmful plots,
and you are their protection
    from vicious gossip.

21 I will praise you, Lord,
    for showing great kindness
when I was like a city
    under attack.
22 I was terrified and thought,
“They've chased me
    far away from you!”
But you answered my prayer
    when I shouted for help.

23 (B) All who belong to the Lord,
    show how you love him.
The Lord protects the faithful,
but he severely punishes
    everyone who is proud.
24 All who trust the Lord,
    be cheerful and strong.

(A special psalm by David.)

The Joy of Forgiveness

(C) Our Lord, you bless everyone
whose sins you forgive
    and wipe away.
You bless them by saying,
    “You told me your sins,
without trying to hide them,
    and now I forgive you.”

Before I confessed my sins,
my bones felt limp,
    and I groaned all day long.
Night and day your hand
    weighed heavily on me,
and my strength was gone
    as in the summer heat.

So I confessed my sins
    and told them all to you.
I said, “I'll tell the Lord
    each one of my sins.”
Then you forgave me
    and took away my guilt.

We worship you, Lord,
    and we should always pray
whenever we find out
    that we have sinned.[b]
Then we won't be swept away
    by a raging flood.
You are my hiding place!
    You protect me from trouble,
and you put songs in my heart
    because you have saved me.

You said to me,
“I will point out the road
    that you should follow.
I will be your teacher
    and watch over you.
Don't be stupid
    like horses and mules
that must be led with ropes
    to make them obey.”

10 All kinds of troubles
    will strike the wicked,
but your kindness shields those
    who trust you, Lord.
11 And so your good people
    should celebrate and shout.

Footnotes

  1. 31.2 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
  2. 32.6 whenever … sinned: Hebrew “at a time of finding only.”

Bible Gateway Recommends