# Psalm 31 (New King James Version)
The Lord a Fortress in Adversity

##### Chapter 31
###### 1 In You, O Lord, I put my trust;  
Let me never be ashamed;  
Deliver me in Your righteousness.  

###### 2 Bow down Your ear to me,  
Deliver me speedily;  
Be my rock of refuge,  
A fortress of defense to save me.

###### 3 For You _are_ my rock and my fortress;  
Therefore, for Your name's sake,  
Lead me and guide me.  

###### 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,  
For You _are_ my strength.  

###### 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;  
You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

###### 6 I have hated those who regard useless idols;  
But I trust in the Lord.  

###### 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,  
For You have considered my trouble;  
You have known my soul in adversities,  

###### 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy;  
You have set my feet in a wide place.

###### 9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble;  
My eye wastes away with grief,  
_Yes,_ my soul and my body!  

###### 10 For my life is spent with grief,  
And my years with sighing;  
My strength fails because of my iniquity,  
And my bones waste away.  

###### 11 I am a reproach among all my enemies,  
But especially among my neighbors,  
And _am_ repulsive to my acquaintances;  
Those who see me outside flee from me.  

###### 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;  
I am like a broken vessel.  

###### 13 For I hear the slander of many;  
Fear _is_ on every side;  
While they take counsel together against me,  
They scheme to take away my life.

###### 14 But as for me, 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 from those who persecute me.  

###### 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant;  
Save me for Your mercies' sake.  

###### 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You;  
Let the wicked be ashamed;  
Let them be silent in the grave.  

###### 18 Let the lying lips be put to silence,  
Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

###### 19 Oh, how great _is_ Your goodness,  
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,  
_Which_ You have prepared for those who trust in You  
In the presence of the sons of men!  

###### 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence  
From the plots of man;  
You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion  
From the strife of tongues.

###### 21 Blessed _be_ the Lord,  
For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!  

###### 22 For I said in my haste,  
"I am cut off from before Your eyes";  
Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications  
When I cried out to You.

###### 23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints!  
_For_ the Lord preserves the faithful,  
And fully repays the proud person.  

###### 24 Be of good courage,  
And He shall strengthen your heart,  
All you who hope in the Lord.