Psalms

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

1LORD, I trust you. Never let me be put to shame. You always do what is right, so rescue me.

2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

2Listen to me. Come quickly and save me. Be my rock, a strong house where I am safe.

3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

3You are my rock and my fort. So lead me and guide me, for the honor of your name.

4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

4Pull me out of the trap my enemies hid for me, because you are my strength.

5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

5I place my spirit in your hands. You have bought me back and set me free, LORD, God of truth.

6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

6I have no use for people who cling to worthless idols. But I trust the LORD.

7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

7I will be glad and full of joy because you love me. You saw my trouble. You knew the pain inside me.

8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

8You did not hand me over to my enemy. You set my feet in a wide, open place.

Note"A large room" in 1611 English meant open, roomy space, not a room inside a house. The picture is being let out of a tight corner into open ground.

9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

9Be kind to me, LORD, for I am in trouble. My eyes are worn out from crying, and so are my heart and my body.

10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

10My life is used up by sadness, my years by groaning. My own sin has drained my strength, and my bones are wearing away.

11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

11My enemies mock me, and my neighbors mock me even more. My friends are afraid of me. When they see me on the street, they run.

12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

12People have forgotten me, the way they forget someone who has died. I am like a jar that broke.

13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

13I hear many people telling lies about me. There is fear on every side. They plan together to take my life.

14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

14But I trusted you, LORD. I said, "You are my God."

15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

15My whole life is in your hands. Save me from my enemies and from the people chasing me.

16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.

16Look on me, your servant, with kindness. Save me because you love me.

17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

17LORD, do not let me be put to shame, for I have called out to you. Let the wicked be ashamed and lie silent in the grave.

18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

18Silence the lips that tell lies. They speak cruel words about good people, full of pride and scorn.

19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

19Your goodness is so great! You have stored it up for those who respect you. You give it, where everyone can see, to those who trust you.

20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

20You hide them close to you, safe from the schemes of proud people. You keep them in your shelter, away from cruel talk.

21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

21Praise the LORD! He showed me his wonderful love when I was in a city under attack.

22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

22In my alarm I said, "You cannot see me anymore." But you heard me begging when I cried out to you.

Note"In my haste" here means in panic or alarm, not simply in a hurry.

23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

23Love the LORD, all you who belong to him. The LORD protects those who stay true, but he fully pays back the proud.

Note"Rewardeth" here means pays back what is owed, not gives a prize. Proud people are being repaid in full for what they have done.

24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

24Be brave, and he will make your heart strong, all of you who put your hope in the LORD.