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A Prayer of Faith in Troubled Times

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

31 Lord, I ·trust [seek refuge] in you;
    let me never be ·disgraced [shamed].
    ·Save [Rescue; T Deliver] me ·because you do what is right [in your righteousness].
·Listen [L Incline your ear] to me
    and ·save [rescue; T deliver] me quickly.
Be my rock of ·protection [refuge],
    a strong ·city [fortress] to save me.
You are my rock and my ·protection [fortress].
    For the ·good [sake] of your name, lead me and guide me.
Set me free from the ·trap [snare; net] they ·set [hid] for me,
    because you are my ·protection [refuge].
·I give you my life [L Into your hand I commend my spirit; Luke 23:46].
    ·Save [Redeem; or You have redeemed] me, Lord, ·God of truth [or faithful God].

I hate those who ·worship [serve; have concern for] ·false [worthless] gods.
    I ·trust [have confidence] only in the Lord.
I will be glad and rejoice in your ·love [loyalty; covenant love],
    because you saw my ·suffering [affliction];
    you knew ·my troubles [the distress of my soul].
You have not handed me over to my enemies
    but have ·set me in a safe place [L made my feet stand in a broad place].

Lord, ·have mercy [be gracious], because I am in ·misery [distress; trouble].
    My eyes ·are weak [waste away; are dim] from so much crying,
    ·and my whole being is tired [L as is my soul and my body] from grief.
10 My life is ending in ·sadness [sorrow],
    and my years are spent ·in crying [L with sighs/moans].
My ·troubles are using up my strength [L strength stumbles in my affliction/misery],
    and my bones ·are getting weaker [waste away].
11 Because of all my ·troubles [distress], my enemies ·hate [scorn] me,
    and even my neighbors look down on me.
When my ·friends [acquaintances] see me in public,
    they are afraid and ·run [flee].
12 I am like a piece of a broken pot.
    I am forgotten as if I were dead.
13 I have heard many ·insults [threats].
    Terror is all around me.
They make plans against me
    and ·want [plot] to kill me.

14 Lord, I ·trust [have confidence in] you.
    I have said, “You are my God.”
15 My ·life is [times/fortunes are] in your hands.
    ·Save [Rescue; T Deliver] me from my enemies
    and from those who are ·chasing [pursuing] me.
16 ·Show your kindness to me, [Shine your face on] your servant [Num. 6:25].
    Save me because of your ·love [loyalty; covenant love].
17 Lord, I ·called [prayed] to you,
    so do not let me be ·disgraced [shamed].
Let the wicked be ·disgraced [shamed]
    and lie silent in ·the grave [or the underworld; L Sheol].
18 With pride and hatred
    they speak against ·those who do right [the righteous].
So silence their lying lips.

19 How great is your goodness
    that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you have ·given to [L accomplished for] those who ·trust [have confidence in] you.
    ·You do this for all to see [L …before humanity].
20 You ·protect [hide] them ·by your [L in the shelter of your] presence
    from what people plan against them.
    You ·shelter them [L store them in shelter] from ·evil words [contentious/accusing tongues].
21 ·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord.
    His ·love [loyalty; covenant love] to me was wonderful
    when ·my city was attacked [or I was like a city under siege].
22 In my ·distress [alarm], I said,
    “·God cannot see me [L I am cut off from your eyes]!”
But you heard my ·prayer [supplication]
    when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you ·who belong to him [loyal ones; saints].
    The Lord protects those who ·truly believe [are faithful],
    but he ·punishes [repays] ·the proud as much as they have sinned [L those who act with pride].
24 All you who ·put your hope in [wait for] the Lord
    be strong and ·brave [L let your heart be courageous].

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