THE BOOK OF PSALMS

 

Psalms 30-31

A Psalm sung at the dedication of the Temple by David.

1 ¶ I will extol you, O LORD; because you have lifted me up, and have not allowed my foes to triumph over me.

2 O LORD my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me.

3 O LORD, you brought my life up from the grave: you kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

4 Sing to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks as you remember his holiness.

5 For his anger endures but a moment; but his favor brings life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

6 ¶ In my prosperity I said, I will never be moved.

7 LORD, by your kindness you made me like a mighty mountain: you hid your face, and I was troubled.

8 I cried to you, O LORD; and to the LORD I made supplication.

9 What gain is there in my death, and going down to the grave? Will the dust praise you? will it declare your truth?

10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, help me.

11 You have changed my weeping into dancing: you have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness;

12 So that in glorying I may sing praise to you, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

 

Psalm 31

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1 ¶ In you, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame: deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Bow down your ear to me; deliver me speedily: be my strong rock, a house of defense to save me.

3 For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for your name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

4 Pull me out of the net that they have secretly laid for me: for you are my strength.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit: you have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

6 I hate those who devote themselves to the lie of idols: but I trust in the LORD.

7 I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy: for you have seen my misery; and care about me in my troubles;

8 And have not surrendered me to the enemy: you have set my feet in a place where I can move freely.

9 ¶ Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: my eye is weary with grief, as is, my soul and my body.

10 For my life is consumed with sorrow, and my years with groaning: my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

11 I am scorned and ridiculed by all my enemies, and even by my neighbors, and I frighten my friends: those who see me in the street run from me.

12 I am forgotten like a dead man: gone from memory like a broken jar.

13 For I have heard the gossip of many: frightening me on every side: as they conspired together against me, and plotted to take my life.

14 But I trusted in you, O LORD: I said, You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16 Cause your face to shine upon your servant: save me for your mercies’ sake.

17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD; for I have called upon you: let the wicked be put to shame, and let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips, that proudly and scornfully speak against the righteous, be silenced.

19 ¶ Oh how great is your goodness, which you have secretly reserved for those who fear you; and have prepared for those who trust in you in the sight of the sons of men!

20 You will hide them from the pride of man in the shelter of your presence: you will keep them safe in a sanctuary from quarrelsome tongues.

21 Blessed is the LORD: for he has shown me his marvelous kindness in a besieged city.

22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from your sight: nevertheless you heard my voice pleading when I cried to you.

23 O love the LORD, all you his saints: for the LORD preserves the faithful, but pays back in full those who act proudly.

24 Be courageous, all you who hope in the LORD, and he will strengthen your heart.