A prayer for God's protection

1I run to you, LORD,

for protection.

Don't disappoint me.

2You do what is right,

so come to my rescue.

Listen to my prayer

and keep me safe.

3Be my mighty rock,71.3 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2. the place

where I can always run

for protection.

Save me by your command!

You are my mighty rock

and my fortress.

4Come and save me, LORD God,

from vicious and cruel

and brutal enemies!

5I depend on you,

and I have trusted you

since I was young.

6I have relied on you71.6 I…you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

from the day I was born.

You brought me safely

through birth,

and I always praise you.

7Many people think of me

as something evil.

But you are my mighty protector,

8and I praise and honour you

all day long.

9Don't throw me aside

when I am old;

don't desert me

when my strength is gone.

10My enemies are plotting

because they want me dead.

11They say, “Now we'll catch you!

God has deserted you,

and no one can save you.”

12Come closer, God!

Please hurry and help.

13Embarrass and destroy

all who want me dead;

disgrace and confuse

all who want to hurt me.

14I will never give up hope

or stop praising you.

15All day long I will tell

the wonderful things you do

to save your people.

But you have done much more

than I could possibly know.

16I will praise you, LORD God,

for your mighty deeds

and your power to save.

17You have taught me

since I was a child,

and I never stop telling about

your marvellous deeds.

18Don't leave me when I am old

and my hair turns grey.

Let me tell future generations

about your mighty power.

19Your deeds of kindness

are known in the heavens.

No one is like you!

20You made me suffer a lot,

but you will bring me

back from this deep pit

and give me new life.

21You will make me truly great

and take my sorrow away.

22I will praise you, God,

the Holy One of Israel.

You are faithful.

I will play the harp

and sing your praises.

23You have rescued me!

I will celebrate and shout,

singing praises to you

with all my heart.

24All day long I will announce

your power to save.

I will tell how you disgraced

and disappointed those

who wanted to hurt me.