Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;

do not let me ever be put to shame;

in your righteousness deliver me.

2Incline your ear to me;

rescue me speedily.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a strong fortress to save me.

3You are indeed my rock and my fortress;

for your name's sake lead me and guide me,

4take me out of the net that is hidden for me,

for you are my refuge.

5Into your hand I commit my spirit;

you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

6You hate31.6 One Heb Ms Gk Syr Jerome: MT I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,

but I trust in the LORD.

7I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,

because you have seen my affliction;

you have taken heed of my adversities,

8and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;

you have set my feet in a broad place.

9Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;

my eye wastes away from grief,

my soul and body also.

10For my life is spent with sorrow,

and my years with sighing;

my strength fails because of my misery,31.10 Gk Syr: Heb my iniquity

and my bones waste away.

11I am the scorn of all my adversaries,

a horror31.11 Cn: Heb exceedingly to my neighbours,

an object of dread to my acquaintances;

those who see me in the street flee from me.

12I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;

I have become like a broken vessel.

13For I hear the whispering of many—

terror all around!—

as they scheme together against me,

as they plot to take my life.

14But I trust in you, O LORD;

I say, ‘You are my God.’

15My times are in your hand;

deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

16Let your face shine upon your servant;

save me in your steadfast love.

17Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD,

for I call on you;

let the wicked be put to shame;

let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.

18Let the lying lips be stilled

that speak insolently against the righteous

with pride and contempt.

19O how abundant is your goodness

that you have laid up for those who fear you,

and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,

in the sight of everyone!

20In the shelter of your presence you hide them

from human plots;

you hold them safe under your shelter

from contentious tongues.

21Blessed be the LORD,

for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me

when I was beset as a city under siege.

22I had said in my alarm,

‘I am driven far31.22 Another reading is cut off from your sight.’

But you heard my supplications

when I cried out to you for help.

23Love the LORD, all you his saints.

The LORD preserves the faithful,

but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.

24Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the LORD.