Psalm - The Old Testament

¹ In you, Yahweh, I take refuge, I shall never be put to shame.

² In your saving justice rescue me, deliver me, listen to me and save me.

³ Be a sheltering rock for me, always accessible; you have determined to save me, for you are my rock, my fortress.

⁴ My God, rescue me from the clutches of the wicked, from the grasp of the rogue and the ruthless.

⁵ For you are my hope, Lord, my trust, Yahweh, since boyhood.

⁶ On you I have relied since my birth, since my mother's womb you have been my portion, the constant theme of my praise.

⁷ Many were bewildered at me, but you are my sure refuge.

⁸ My mouth is full of your praises, filled with your splendour all day long.

⁹ Do not reject me in my old age, nor desert me when my strength is failing,

¹⁰ for my enemies are discussing me, those with designs on my life are plotting together.

¹¹ 'Hound him down, for God has deserted him! Seize him, there is no one to rescue him.'

¹² God, do not stand aloof, my God, come quickly to help me.

¹³ Shame and ruin on those who slander me, may those intent on harming me be covered with insult and infamy.

¹⁴ As for me, my hope will never fade, I will praise you more and more.

¹⁵ My lips shall proclaim your saving justice, your saving power all day long.

¹⁶ I will come in the power of Yahweh to tell of your justice, yours alone.

¹⁷ God, you have taught me from boyhood, and I am still proclaiming your marvels.

¹⁸ Now that I am old and grey-haired, God, do not desert me, till I have proclaimed your strength to generations still to come, your power

¹⁹ and justice to the skies. You have done great things, God, who is like you?

²⁰ You have shown me much misery and hardship, but you will give me life again, You will raise me up again from the depths of the earth,

²¹ prolong my old age, and comfort me again.

²² For my part, I will thank you on the lyre for your constancy, my God. I will play the harp in your honour, Holy One of Israel.

²³ My lips sing for joy as I play to you, because you have redeemed me,

²⁴ and all day long my tongue muses on your saving justice. Shame and disgrace on those intent to harm me!