AN OLD MAN’S PRAYER

PSALMS 71

Lord, I have come to You for protection;

never let me be defeated!

Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.

Listen to me and save me!

Be my secure shelter and a strong fortress to protect me;

You are my refuge and defence.

My God, rescue me from wicked men,

from the power of cruel and evil men,

Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in You,

I have trusted in You since I was young.

I have relied on You all my life;

You have protected me since the day I was born

I will always praise You.

My life has been an example to many,

because you have been my strong defender.

All day long I praise you and proclaim Your glory.

Do not reject me now that I am old;

do not abandon me now that I am feeble.

My enemies want to kill me;

they talk and plot against me.

They say, “God has abandoned him;

let’s go after him and catch him;

there is no one to rescue him.”

Don’t stay so far away, O God;

my God, hurry to my aid!

May those who attack me

be defeated and destroyed.

May those who try to hurt me,

be shamed and disgraced.

I will always put my hope in You;

I will praise you more and more.

I will tell Your goodness;

all day long I will speak of Your salvation,

though it is more than I can understand.

I will praise Your power, Sovereign Lord;

I will proclaim Your goodness, Yours alone.

You have taught me ever since I was young,

and I still tell of Your wonderful acts.

Now that I am old and my hair is grey,

do not abandon me, O God!

Be with me while I proclaim Your power

and might

to all generations to come.

Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies.

You have done great things;

there is no one like You.

You have sent troubles and sufferings

on me,

but You will restore my strength;

You will keep me from the grave,

You will make me greater than ever;

You will comfort me again.

I will indeed praise you with harp;

I will praise Your faithfulness, my God.

On my harp I will play hymns to You,

the Holy One of Israel.

I will shout for joy as I play for You;

with my whole being I will sing

because You have saved me.

I will speak of Your righteousness all

day long,

because those who tried to harm me

have been defeated and disgraced.