31:2 In you, LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justicedeliver me;
31:3 incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me! Be my rock of refuge, astronghold to save me.
31:4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead and guide me.
31:5 Free me from the net they have set for me, for you are my refuge.
31:6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God.
31:7 You hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
31:8 I will rejoice and be glad in your love, once you have seen my misery,observed my distress.
31:9 You will not abandon me into enemy hands, but will set my feet in a free andopen space.II
31:10 Be gracious to me, LORD, for I am in distress; with grief my eyes are wasted,my soul and body spent.
31:11 My life is worn out by sorrow, my years by sighing. My strength fails inaffliction; my bones are consumed.
31:12 To all my foes I am a thing of scorn, to my neighbors, a dreaded sight, ahorror to my friends. When they see me in the street, they quickly shy away.
31:13 I am forgotten, out of mind like the dead; I am like a shattered dish.
31:14 I hear the whispers of the crowd; terrors are all around me. They conspireagainst me; they plot to take my life.
31:15 But I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God."
31:16 My times are in your hands; rescue me from my enemies, from the hands of mypursuers.
31:17 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your kindness.
31:18 Do not let me be put to shame, for I have called to you, LORD. Put thewicked to shame; reduce them to silence in Sheol.
31:19 Strike dumb their lying lips, proud lips that attack the just in contemptand scorn.III
31:20 How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. Youdisplay it for those who trust you, in the sight of all the people.
31:21 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from scheming enemies.You keep them in your abode, safe from plotting tongues.
31:22 Blessed be the LORD, who has shown me wondrous love, and been for me a citymost secure.
31:23 Once I said in my anguish, "I am shut out from your sight." Yet you heard myplea, when I cried out to you.
31:24 Love the LORD, all you faithful. The LORD protects the loyal, but repays thearrogant in full.
31:25 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.