Psalm 71

A Prayer of Lifelong Trust

1O Lord, I have come to you for protection;

don’t let me be disgraced.

2Save me and rescue me,

for you do what is right.

Turn your ear to listen to me,

and set me free.

3Be my rock of safety

where I can always hide.

Give the order to save me,

for you are my rock and my fortress.

4My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked,

from the clutches of cruel oppressors.

5O Lord, you alone are my hope.

I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.

6Yes, you have been with me from birth;

from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.

No wonder I am always praising you!

7My life is an example to many,

because you have been my strength and protection.

8That is why I can never stop praising you;

I declare your glory all day long.

9And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.

Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.

10For my enemies are whispering against me.

They are plotting together to kill me.

11They say, “God has abandoned him.

Let’s go and get him,

for no one will help him now.”

12O God, don’t stay away.

My God, please hurry to help me.

13Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers.

Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.

14But I will keep on hoping for your help;

I will praise you more and more.

15I will tell everyone about your righteousness.

All day long I will proclaim your saving power,

though I am not skilled with words.*71:15 Or though I cannot count it.

16I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord.

I will tell everyone that you alone are just.

17O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,

and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.

18Now that I am old and gray,

do not abandon me, O God.

Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,

your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

19Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.

You have done such wonderful things.

Who can compare with you, O God?

20You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,

but you will restore me to life again

and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

21You will restore me to even greater honor

and comfort me once again.

22Then I will praise you with music on the harp,

because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.

I will sing praises to you with a lyre,

O Holy One of Israel.

23I will shout for joy and sing your praises,

for you have ransomed me.

24I will tell about your righteous deeds

all day long,

for everyone who tried to hurt me

has been shamed and humiliated.