Psalm 31:1-24 CEB

[1] I take refuge in you, LORD. Please never let me be put to shame. Rescue me by your righteousness! [2] Listen closely to me! Deliver me quickly; be a rock that protects me; be a strong fortress that saves me! [3] You are definitely my rock and my fortress. Guide me and lead me for the sake of your good name! [4] Get me out of this net that’s been set for me because you are my protective fortress. [5] I entrust my spirit into your hands; you, LORD, God of faithfulness—you have saved me. [6] I hate those who embrace what is completely worthless. I myself trust the LORD. [7] I rejoice and celebrate in your faithful love because you saw my suffering—you were intimately acquainted with my deep distress. [8] You didn’t hand me over to the enemy, but set my feet in wide-open spaces. [9] Have mercy on me, LORD, because I’m depressed. My vision fails because of my grief, as do my spirit and my body. [10] My life is consumed with sadness; my years are consumed with groaning. Strength fails me because of my suffering; my bones dry up. [11] I’m a joke to all my enemies, still worse to my neighbors. I scare my friends, and whoever sees me in the street runs away! [12] I am forgotten, like I’m dead, completely out of mind; I am like a piece of pottery, destroyed. [13] Yes, I’ve heard all the gossiping, terror all around; so many gang up together against me, they plan to take my life! [14] But me? I trust you, LORD! I affirm, “You are my God.” [15] My future is in your hands. Don’t hand me over to my enemies, to all who are out to get me! [16] Shine your face on your servant; save me by your faithful love! [17] LORD, don’t let me be put to shame because I have cried out to you. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them be silenced in death’s domain! [18] Let their lying lips be shut up whenever they speak arrogantly against the righteous with pride and contempt! [19] How great is the goodness that you’ve reserved for those who honor you, that you commit to those who take refuge in you—in the sight of everyone! [20] You hide them in the shelter of your wings, safe from human scheming. You conceal them in a shelter, safe from accusing tongues. [21] Bless the LORD, because he has wondrously revealed his faithful love to me when I was like a city under siege! [22] When I was panicked, I said, “I’m cut off from your eyes!” But you heard my request for mercy when I cried out to you for help. [23] All you who are faithful, love the LORD! The LORD protects those who are loyal, but he pays the proud back to the fullest degree. [24] All you who wait for the LORD, be strong and let your heart take courage.