Monday, August 9, 2010

Psalm 31: 1-18, The Holy Bible


The Psalmist prays,

In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Your Righteousness.

Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my Rock of Refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me.

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.

My life is consumed by anguish and my ears by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.

Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors I am a dread to my friends--those who see me on the street flee from me.

I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.

But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

My times are in Your hand; deliver me from Your enemies and from those who pursue me.

Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love.

Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to You; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave.

Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

Free me from the trap that is set for me, for You are my Refuge.

Into Your hand I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of Truth.

I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.

I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.

My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.

Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am dread to my friends---those who see me on the street flee from me.

I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

For I hear the slander of many; there is error on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.

But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love.

Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to You; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave.

Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

Proverbs 21:3 reads,

"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."