Psalms 71

Do not cast me off in old age

O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.a ²Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free.b ³Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.c

⁴My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors. ⁵O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.d ⁶Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!e

⁷My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.f ⁸That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.g ⁹And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.h

¹⁰For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me. ¹¹They say, “God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.” ¹²O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me.

¹³Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me. ¹⁴But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. ¹⁵I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.i

¹⁶I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. ¹⁷O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. ¹⁸Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.j

¹⁹Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?k ²⁰You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.l ²¹You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.

²²Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel. ²³I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. ²⁴I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.