Psalm 71

1    In you, O Lord, do I seek refuge;  

let me never be put to shame.

2    In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free;  

incline your ear to me and save me.

3    Be for me a stronghold to which I may ever resort;  

send out to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4    Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,  

from the grasp of the evildoer and the oppressor.

5    For you are my hope, O Lord God,  

my confidence, even from my youth.

6    Upon you have I leaned from my birth,

    when you drew me from my mother’s womb;  

my praise shall be always of you.

7    I have become a portent to many,  

but you are my refuge and my strength.

8    Let my mouth be full of your praise  

and your glory all the day long.

9    Do not cast me away in the time of old age;  

forsake me not when my strength fails.

10  For my enemies are talking against me,  

and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.

11  They say, ‘God has forsaken him;

    pursue him and take him,  

because there is none to deliver him.’

12  O God, be not far from me;  

come quickly to help me, O my God.

13  Let those who are against me

    be put to shame and disgrace;  

let those who seek to do me evil

    be covered with scorn and reproach.

14  But as for me I will hope continually  

and will praise you more and more.

15  My mouth shall tell of your righteousness

    and salvation all the day long,  

for I know no end of the telling.

16  I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord God;  

I will recall your righteousness, yours alone.

17  O God, you have taught me since I was young,  

and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.

18  Forsake me not, O God,

    when I am old and grey-headed,  

till I make known your deeds to the next generation

    and your power to all that are to come.

19  Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens;  

in the great things you have done, who is like you, O God?

20  What troubles and adversities you have shown me,  

and yet you will turn and refresh me

    and bring me from the deep of the earth again.

21  Increase my honour;  

turn again and comfort me.

22  Therefore will I praise you upon the harp

    for your faithfulness, O my God;  

I will sing to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

23  My lips will sing out as I play to you,  

and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.

24  My tongue also will tell of your righteousness all the day long,  

for they shall be shamed and disgraced

    who sought to do me evil.

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.

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