*For the music director; a psalm of David. In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter! Never let me be humiliated! Vindicate me by rescuing me! *Listen to me! Quickly deliver me! Be my protector and refuge, a stronghold where I can be safe! *For you are my high ridge and my stronghold; for the sake of your own reputation you lead me and guide me. *You will free me from the net they hid for me, for you are my place of refuge.*Into your hand I entrust my life; you will rescue me, O Lord, the faithful God.*I hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.*I will be happy and rejoice in your faithfulness, because you notice my pain and you are aware of how distressed I am. *You do not deliver me over to the power of the enemy; you enable me to stand in a wide open place.*Have mercy on me, for I am in distress! My eyes grow dim from suffering. I have lost my strength. *For my life nears its end in pain; my years draw to a close as I groan. My strength fails me because of my sin, and my bones become brittle. *Because of all my enemies, people disdain me; my neighbors are appalled by my suffering – those who know me are horrified by my condition; those who see me in the street run away from me.*I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about; I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar. *For I hear what so many are saying, the terrifying news that comes from every direction. When they plot together against me, they figure out how they can take my life.*But I trust in you, O Lord! I declare, “You are my God!”*You determine my destiny! Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me.*Smile on your servant! Deliver me because of your faithfulness!*O Lord, do not let me be humiliated, for I call out to you! May evil men be humiliated! May they go wailing to the grave! *May lying lips be silenced – lips that speak defiantly against the innocent with arrogance and contempt!*How great is your favor, which you store up for your loyal followers! In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter in you. *You hide them with you, where they are safe from the attacks of men; you conceal them in a shelter, where they are safe from slanderous attacks. *The Lord deserves praise for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies. *I jumped to conclusions and said, “I am cut off from your presence!” But you heard my plea for mercy when I cried out to you for help.*Love the Lord, all you faithful followers of his! The Lord protects those who have integrity, but he pays back in full the one who acts arrogantly. *Be strong and confident, all you who wait on the Lord!
