Psalms 71

A song for old age

1Lord, I have come to you to keep me safe. Never let me become ashamed.

2You always do what is right, so please rescue me! Listen to me, and come to save me!

3Be a rock where I can hide. Be a strong place where I can be safe. You are my high rock and my strong, safe place.

4My God, save me from the power of wicked people, so that those cruel people cannot catch me.

5My Lord, I trust you to help me. I have trusted in you, Lord, since I was young.

6Since I was born, you have been there to help me. You have taken care of me since my mother gave birth to me. So I will always praise you!

7When people see me, they see trouble! But you are a strong place to keep me safe.

8I can never stop praising you! All the time, I speak about your glory!

9Do not chase me away when I am old. When I am no longer strong, do not turn away from me.

10For my enemies say things against me. They think of ways that they can kill me.

11They say, ‘God has turned away from him. Run after him and catch him, for nobody will rescue him.’

12God, do not stay far away from me. My God, come quickly to help me!

13Make my enemies become completely ashamed. They speak against me and they want to hurt me. So let them fall with great shame!

14But as for me, I will always wait for you to help me. I will continue to praise you more and more.

15I will tell people that you always do what is right. I will always speak about your power to save people. But you have done more than I will ever know about!

16I will tell about the great things that you have done, Almighty Lord. I will tell everyone that you are righteous. You, only you, are righteous.

17God, you have taught me since I was young. I still tell people about the great things that you have done.

18And even when I am old and my hair is grey, do not turn away from me, God. I need to tell the people still to be born about your great strength. My descendants need to know about your power.

19Your justice reaches beyond the sky above! You have done such great things, God. There is nobody like you!

20You have caused me to have many bad troubles. But you will make my life strong again. You will lift me back out from this deep hole under the earth.

21You will make me great again, so that people respect me. You will turn back to me, so that I feel strong.

22I will pick up my harp and I will sing to thank you. I will praise you, my God, because you do what you promise. I will sing to praise you, the Holy One of Israel, with the music of a lyre.

23I will shout aloud with joy, as I praise you with music! I will sing songs to praise you, because you have rescued me.

24I will talk about your justice all the time. The people who want to hurt me will become confused and ashamed.