71:1   LORD, I have come to you for protection; never let me be defeated!

71:2   Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me. Listen to me and save me!

71:3   Be my secure shelter and a strong fortress to protect me; you are my refuge and defense.

71:4   My God, rescue me from wicked people, from the power of cruel and evil people.

71:5   Sovereign LORD, I put my hope in you; I have trusted in you since I was young.

71:6   I have relied on you all my life; you have protected me since the day I was born. I will always praise you.

71:7   My life has been an example to many, because you have been my strong defender.

71:8   All day long I praise you and proclaim your glory.

71:9   Do not reject me now that I am old; do not abandon me now that I am feeble.

71:10   My enemies want to kill me; they talk and plot against me.

71:11   They say, "God has abandoned him; let's go after him and catch him; there is no one to rescue him."

71:12   Don't stay so far away, O God; my God, hurry to my aid!

71:13   May those who attack me be defeated and destroyed. May those who try to hurt me be shamed and disgraced.

71:14   I will always put my hope in you; I will praise you more and more.

71:15   I will tell of your goodness; all day long I will speak of your salvation, though it is more than I can understand.

71:16   I will go in the strength of the LORD God; I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone.

71:17   You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts.

71:18   Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come.

71:19   Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies. You have done great things; there is no one like you.

71:20   You have sent troubles and suffering on me, but you will restore my strength; you will keep me from the grave.

71:21   You will make me greater than ever; you will comfort me again.

71:22   I will indeed praise you with the harp; I will praise your faithfulness, my God. On my harp I will play hymns to you, the Holy One of Israel.

71:23   I will shout for joy as I play for you; with my whole being I will sing because you have saved me.

71:24   I will speak of your righteousness all day long, because those who tried to harm me have been defeated and disgraced.