Psalm 31:1-24 VOICE

[1] You are my shelter, O Eternal One-my soul's sanctuary! Shield me from shame; rescue me by Your righteousness. [2] Hear me, Lord! Turn Your ear in my direction. Come quick! Save me! Be my rock, my shelter, my fortress of salvation! [3] You are my rock and my fortress-my soul's sanctuary! Therefore, for the sake of Your reputation, be my leader, my guide, my navigator, my commander. [4] Save me from the snare that has been secretly set out for me, for You are my protection. [5] I entrust my spirit into Your hands. You have redeemed me, O Eternal, God of faithfulness and truth. [6] I despise the people who pay respect to breathless idols, and I trust only in You, Eternal One. [7] I will gladly rejoice because of Your gracious love because You recognized the sadness of my affliction. You felt deep compassion when You saw the pains of my soul. [8] You did not hand me over to the enemy, but instead, You liberated me and made me secure in a good and spacious land. [9] Show me Your grace, Eternal One, for I am in a tight spot. My eyes are aching with grief; my body and soul are withering with miseries. [10] My life is devoured by sorrow, and my years are haunted with mourning. My sin has sapped me of all my strength; my body withers under the weight of this suffering. [11] To all my enemies I am an object of scorn. My neighbors especially are ashamed of me. My friends are afraid to be seen with me. When I walk down the street, people go out of their way to avoid me. [12] I am as good as dead to them. Forgotten! Like a shattered clay pot, I am easily discarded and gladly replaced. [13] For I hear their whispered plans; terror is everywhere! They conspire together, planning, plotting, scheming to take my life. [14] But I pour my trust into You, Eternal One. I'm glad to say, "You are my God!" [15] I give the moments of my life over to You, Eternal One. Rescue me from those who hate me and who hound me with their threats. [16] Look toward me, and let Your face shine down upon Your servant. Because of Your gracious love, save me! [17] Spare me shame, O Eternal One, for I turn and call to You. Instead, let those who hate me be shamed; let death's silence claim them. [18] Seal their lying lips forever, for with pride and contempt boiling in their hearts, they speak boldly against the righteous and persecute those who poured their trust into You. [19] Your overflowing goodness You have kept for those who live in awe of You, And You share Your goodness with those who make You their sanctuary. [20] You hide them, You shelter them in Your presence, safe from the conspiracies of sinful men. You keep them in Your tent, safe from the slander of accusing tongues. [21] Bless the Eternal! For He has revealed His gracious love to me when I was trapped like a city under siege. [22] I began to panic so I yelled out, "I'm cut off. You no longer see me!" But You heard my cry for help that day when I called out to You. [23] Love the Eternal, all of you, His faithful people! He protects those who are true to Him, but He pays back the proud in kind. [24] Be strong, and live courageously, all of you who set your hope in the Eternal!