Psalm 31

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

Daily Prayer (based on Psalm 31:4)

You are my refuge, dear Lord. You are my safe place. You protect me. You shelter me. You give me peace in which to be restored. In Your strength I trust, O God, knowing that no power can defeat You.

Thank You, dear Lord, for being so available to me. Thanks for opening Your gates to me when I am afraid, so that I might dwell in safety with You.

Postscript

The word translated as "refuge" in Psalm 31:4 is ma'oz in Hebrew. The same word appears in verse 2: "Be a rock of refuge for me." Ma'oz, which is sometimes translated as "stronghold," is the place to which we run when threatened or in danger. If God is our ma'oz, we will turn to Him when we feel threatened or unsafe. We will put our trust in Him first and foremost.

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Except for the Scripture text, all material of The Daily Psalm Copyright © 2006 by Mark D. Roberts

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The Scripture text used in The Daily Psalm is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved