[31:1] I come to you, Lord, for protection; never let me be defeated. You are a righteous God; save me, I pray!
[31:2] Hear me! Save me now! Be my refuge to protect me; my defense to save me.
[31:3] You are my refuge and defense; guide me and lead me as you have promised.
[31:4] Keep me safe from the trap that has been set for me; shelter me from danger.
[31:5] I place myself in your care. You will save me, Lord; you are a faithful God.
[31:6] You hate those who worship false gods, but I trust in you.
[31:7] I will be glad and rejoice because of your constant love. You see my suffering; you know my trouble.
[31:8] You have not let my enemies capture me; you have given me freedom to go where I wish.
[31:9] Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in trouble; my eyes are tired from so much crying; I am completely worn out.
[31:10] I am exhausted by sorrow, and weeping has shortened my life. I am weak from all my troubles; even my bones are wasting away.
[31:11] All my enemies, and especially my neighbors, treat me with contempt. Those who know me are afraid of me; when they see me in the street, they run away.
[31:12] Everyone has forgotten me, as though I were dead; I am like something thrown away.
[31:13] I hear many enemies whispering; terror is all around me. They are making plans against me, plotting to kill me.
[31:14] But my trust is in you, O Lord; you are my God.
[31:15] I am always in your care; save me from my enemies, from those who persecute me.
[31:16] Look on your servant with kindness; save me in your constant love.
[31:17] I call to you, Lord; don't let me be disgraced. May the wicked be disgraced; may they go silently down to the world of the dead.
[31:18] Silence those liars— all the proud and arrogant who speak with contempt about the righteous.
[31:19] How wonderful are the good things you keep for those who honor you! Everyone knows how good you are, how securely you protect those who trust you.
[31:20] You hide them in the safety of your presence from the plots of others; in a safe shelter you hide them from the insults of their enemies.
[31:21] Praise the Lord! How wonderfully he showed his love for me when I was surrounded and attacked!
[31:22] I was afraid and thought that he had driven me out of his presence. But he heard my cry, when I called to him for help.
[31:23] Love the Lord, all his faithful people. The Lord protects the faithful, but punishes the proud as they deserve.
[31:24] Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord.