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Psalms

A collection of songs and prayers expressing a wide range of emotions and thoughts on faith.

Chapter 31

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

*I trust in you, Lord; don't let me be embarrassed; save me through your fairness.

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

*Listen to me; rescue me quickly: be my powerful protection, a safe place to keep me secure.

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

*Because you are my protection and stronghold, lead and guide me because of your name.

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

*Pull me out of the secret trap they've set for me, as you are my strength.

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

*I give my spirit to you: you have saved me, Lord God of truth.

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

*I dislike people who believe in false things: but I put my trust in God.

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

*I will be happy and celebrate your kindness because you have noticed my struggles. You understand my feelings during difficult times.

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

*And you didn't leave me with the enemy; you've given me lots of space to move around.

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

*Please, Lord, have mercy on me because I'm in trouble. My eye is very sad, and it's affecting my soul and stomach too.

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

*I am constantly sad, and my life is filled with sorrowful breathing; I grow weak because of my wrongdoings, and my body is wasting away.

11 I 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.

*I was disgraced by all my enemies, especially my neighbors, and was feared by my friends. When people saw me, they ran away.

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

*I am overlooked like someone long forgotten, as if not even remembered: I am shattered and useless, like a broken pot.

13 For 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.

*I heard many people gossiping about me, causing fear everywhere. They secretly planned to kill me.

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

*But I believed in you, Lord: I said, You are my God.

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

*My life is controlled by you: save me from those who want to harm me and from those who harass me.

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

*Shine your kindness on me, and save me because of your mercy.

17 Let 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.

*Don't make me feel embarrassed, God, because I've asked for your help. Make the bad people feel embarrassed and quiet in their graves.

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

*Make those who lie quiet, who boastfully and disrespectfully say bad things about good people.

19 Oh 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!

*How amazing your kindness is, saved for those who fear you. You have done great things for those who trust in you, even in front of other people!

20 Thou 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.

*You shall hide them in the hidden part of your presence, away from people's pride. You will keep them safely in a special place, protected from language conflicts.

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

*Praised is the Lord! He has shown me his amazing love in a powerful city.

22 For 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.

*In my hurry, I thought you couldn't see me anymore. But even so, when I called out to you, you heard my prayers.

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

*Love the Lord, all his good people, because He protects those who trust Him and generously rewards those who are confident in their actions.

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

*Be brave, and God will make you strong; those who trust in Him will have their hearts encouraged.

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