Psalms 31

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 For the leader. A psalm of David.	1 The understanding of David himself. Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered.
2 In you, LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice deliver me;	2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me.	3 Because I was silent, my bones grew old, while still I cried out all day long.
4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead and guide me.	4 For, day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. I have been converted in my anguish, while still the thorn is piercing.
5 Free me from the net they have set for me, for you are my refuge.	5 I have acknowledged my offense to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, “I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord,” and you forgave the impiety of my sin.
6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God.	6 For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him.
7 You hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.	7 You are my refuge from the tribulation that has surrounded me. You are my exultation: rescue me from those who are surrounding me.
8 I will rejoice and be glad in your love, once you have seen my misery, observed my distress.	8 I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you.
9 You will not abandon me into enemy hands, but will set my feet in a free and open space.	9 Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Their jaws are constrained with bit and bridle, so as not to draw near to you.
10 Be gracious to me, LORD, for I am in distress; with grief my eyes are wasted, my soul and body spent.	10 Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord.
11 My life is worn out by sorrow, my years by sighing. My strength fails in affliction; my bones are consumed.	11 Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you just ones, and glory, all you upright of heart.
12 To all my foes I am a thing of scorn, to my neighbors, a dreaded sight, a horror to my friends. When they see me in the street, they quickly shy away.
13 I am forgotten, out of mind like the dead; I am like a shattered dish.
14 I hear the whispers of the crowd; terrors are all around me. They conspire against me; they plot to take my life.
15 But I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God."
16 My times are in your hands; rescue me from my enemies, from the hands of my pursuers.
17 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your kindness.
18 Do not let me be put to shame, for I have called to you, LORD. Put the wicked to shame; reduce them to silence in Sheol.
19 Strike dumb their lying lips, proud lips that attack the just in contempt and scorn.
20 How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. You display it for those who trust you, in the sight of all the people.
21 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from scheming enemies. You keep them in your abode, safe from plotting tongues.
22 Blessed be the LORD, who has shown me wondrous love, and been for me a city most secure.
23 Once I said in my anguish, "I am shut out from your sight." Yet you heard my plea, when I cried out to you.
24 Love the LORD, all you faithful. The LORD protects the loyal, but repays the arrogant in full.
25 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.