Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.*
2Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.*
3You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me;*
4take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.*
5Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.*
6You hated those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.*
7I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have taken notice of my adversities*
8and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.*
9Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10For my life is spent with sorrow
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,e
and my bones waste away.*
11I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horrorf to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.*
12I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.*
13For I hear the whispering of many—
terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.*
14But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”*
15My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.*
16Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.*
17Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord,
for I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.*
18Let the lying lips be stilled
that speak insolently against the righteous
with pride and contempt.*
19O how abundant is your goodness
that you have laid up for those who fear you
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of everyone!*
20In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from human plots;
you hold them safe under your shelter
from contentious tongues.*
21Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was beset as a city under siege.*
22I had said in my alarm,
“I am driven farg from your sight.”
But you heard my supplications
when I cried out to you for help.*
23Love the Lord, all you his saints.
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.*
24Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord.*