31 For the musical director: a song by David.

31 I go to you, Yahweh, to be safe.

Never let me be humiliated.

Rescue me, because you always do what’s right.

2 Listen to me—rescue me quickly.

Be my rock that I can be secure behind—

≈a fortress to keep me safe.

3 Yes, you’re my rock and my fortress,

and you lead and guide me in order to maintain your reputation.

4 Pluck me out of the net that they’ve hidden for me,

because you’re my place of safety.

5 I entrust my spirit into your capable hands.

You’ll redeem me, Yahweh, God of faithfulness.

6 I hate those who follow worthless trends,

but I trust in Yahweh.

7 I’ll be glad and celebrate your loyal commitment,

because you saw my suffering—

you knew my internal troubles.

8 You didn’t allow any enemy to get the upper hand over me.

You’ve set my feet in a wide open place.

9 Have mercy upon me, Yahweh, because I’m distressed.

My eyes grow weary with the grief I feel in my body and soul.

10 Yes my life is weary with sorrow

≈and my years with groaning.

My strength fails because of my disobedience,

≈and my bones are wasting away.

11 People disdain me because of all my enemies.

≈My neighbours are appalled at my situation,

and those who know me are horrified.

≈Those who see me in the street cross to the other side.

12 I am forgotten like a dead person that no one thinks about any more.

≈I’m discarded like a broken pot.

13 I’ve heard the whispering of many—

≈terrifying news from every side

as they plot together against me.

≈They plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, Yahweh.

≈I declare that you’re my God.

15 You control my future.

Rescue me from my enemies

≈and from those who’re trying to get me.

16 Act kindly towards me, your servant.

Rescue me due to your loyal commitment.

17 Don’t let me be humiliated, Yahweh, because I’ve called out to you for help.

Let the wicked be the ones who’re humiliated.

Send them down to Sheol where they’ll be silent.

18 Let the lying lips be silenced

that speak against the righteous defiantly

≈with arrogance and contempt.

19 You’ve stored up great goodness for those who revere you,

that you perform for those who take refuge in you

in plain sight of all humanity.

20 In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from people’s evil plots.

≈You hide them in a shelter from the violence of people’s words.

21 Praise Yahweh, because he showed me his incredible loyal commitment

when I was trapped in a besieged city.

22 In my alarm I thought, “I’ve gone out of your sight,”

yet you did hear my plea for help when I called out to you.

23 Love Yahweh, all you godly people.

Yahweh protects faithful people,

but he pays back the arrogant in full.

24 Be strong and confident,

all you who trust in Yahweh for help.