[71:1] Lord, I have come to you for protection; never let me be defeated!
[71:2] Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me. Listen to me and save me!
[71:3] Be my secure shelter and a strong fortress to protect me; you are my refuge and defense.
[71:4] My God, rescue me from wicked people, from the power of cruel and evil people.
[71:5] Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you; I have trusted in you since I was young.
[71:6] I have relied on you all my life; you have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise you.
[71:7] My life has been an example to many, because you have been my strong defender.
[71:8] All day long I praise you and proclaim your glory.
[71:9] Do not reject me now that I am old; do not abandon me now that I am feeble.
[71:10] My enemies want to kill me; they talk and plot against me.
[71:11] They say, “God has abandoned him; let's go after him and catch him; there is no one to rescue him.”
[71:12] Don't stay so far away, O God; my God, hurry to my aid!
[71:13] May those who attack me be defeated and destroyed. May those who try to hurt me be shamed and disgraced.
[71:14] I will always put my hope in you; I will praise you more and more.
[71:15] I will tell of your goodness; all day long I will speak of your salvation, though it is more than I can understand.
[71:16] I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone.
[71:17] You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts.
[71:18] Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come.
[71:19] Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies. You have done great things; there is no one like you.
[71:20] You have sent troubles and suffering on me, but you will restore my strength; you will keep me from the grave.
[71:21] You will make me greater than ever; you will comfort me again.
[71:22] I will indeed praise you with the harp; I will praise your faithfulness, my God. On my harp I will play hymns to you, the Holy One of Israel.
[71:23] I will shout for joy as I play for you; with my whole being I will sing because you have saved me.
[71:24] I will speak of your righteousness all day long, because those who tried to harm me have been defeated and disgraced.