Psalm 71

1 Lord, I choose to trust in You completely, so please don’t disappoint me. 2 – 3 Because of how right and just You are, rescue me and slip me away to safety. Get me so close to You that I know You hear me. Protect me so strongly and solidly that our intimate fellowship continues.


Your plans are to make me victorious since You are my refuge and defense. 4 Bring me into a secure place, O Mighty God, away from the violence of those who are hostile to You and out from under the authority of unjust, bitter and oppressive people.


5 God, I reverently expect You to do what is best for me, like a child trusting a loving parent. 6 Actually You ‘birthed’ me and supported me from the time I was born, so I will sing praise to You and continually thank You. 7 – 8 Many are awed by the obvious miracles in my life and since You are my glorious, all-powerful Source of protection and shelter I overflow with songs and words to loudly declare Your excellence all the time. 9 Don’t throw me away when I get old or desert me when I’m exhausted and my strength is gone.


10 – 11 Those who oppose me consult how to ‘take me down’ and are just waiting for what they think is the right time. They tell each other ‘ God has deserted him so chase and capture him for no one is around to rescue him’. 12 My Mighty God, stay close to me and act quickly in my behalf. 13 Let those be silenced with terror and enveloped in such shame and disgrace that they totally waste away who opposed me and planned to destroy me.


14 – 16 But as for me, God, I choose to keep trusting You, singing about You and telling others of Your right ways. I don’t know how much longer I’ll live but as long as You keep me alive, I will live close to You and remind others how right Your ways are. 17 God, You disciplined and mentored me from when I was a child so I am celebrating in praise your extraordinary and marvelous works. 18 Now that I am older, God, don’t leave me until I have celebrated with praise Your mighty power to those now living as well as to generations to come.


19 – 20 You are completely true, God, and have magnificently accomplished significant things. There is no one like You – who has shown me so many evil and distressful situations – to revive, restore and raise me up again from being so intensely ‘low’. 21 You will use me to reveal how magnificent and majestic You really are as You surround me with Your compassionate help.


22 I will sing, accompanied by a guitar, about Your integrity and truth for You are my Mighty God and the Majestic Judge who prevails. 23 – 24 I will shout out loud for JOY and rejoice in my heart as well as quietly tell others how You have set me free. Those who obnoxiously planned to hurt me (because they were out of control with anger) are astonished, disappointed and dishonored.