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Psalm 71

Prayer for Lifelong Protection and Help

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.(A)
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me and save me.(B)
Be to me a rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress[a] to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.(C)

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.(D)
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.(E)
From my birth I have leaned upon you,
    my protector since my mother’s womb.[b]
My praise is continually of you.(F)

I have been like a portent to many,
    but you are my strong refuge.(G)
My mouth is filled with your praise
    and with your glory all day long.(H)
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
    do not forsake me when my strength is spent.(I)
10 For my enemies speak concerning me,
    and those who watch for my life consult together.(J)
11 They say, “Pursue and seize that person
    whom God has forsaken,
    for there is no one to deliver.”(K)

12 O God, do not be far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 71.3 Gk: Heb to come continually you have commanded
  2. 71.6 Q ms Gk Jerome: MT from my mother’s womb you took me

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.

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