Sunday, April 13, 2003

Psalm 31:1-16 (NRSV)

Read Psalm 31:1-16 on biblegateway.com

Verse ¹In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.

Verse ²Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.

Verse ³You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me,

Verse ⁴take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.

Verse ⁵Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

Verse ⁶You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.

Verse ⁷I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,

Verse ⁸and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.

Verse ⁹Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.

Verse ¹⁰For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.

Verse ¹¹I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.

Verse ¹²I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.

Verse ¹³For I hear the whispering of many- terror all around!- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

Verse ¹⁴But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."

Verse ¹⁵My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

Verse ¹⁶Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.