Psalm 71

W. van der Kamp, 1972; rev.

1. In Thee, O LORD, do I take refuge;
   I trust in Thy great Name,
   Lest I be put to shame.
   Me in Thy righteousness deliver;
   Incline Thy ear and hear me;
   With saving help be near me.
   
2. Be Thou to me a rock of refuge,
   A fortress steep and strong.
   To save me from their wrong,
   God, rescue me from all the wicked,
   From men unjust and savage,
   Who me surround and ravage.
   
3. Thou, from my youth my trust and Helper,
   My hope, I praise Thy worth;
   I’ve leaned on Thee from birth.
   Yes, from the womb, LORD, of my mother
   Art Thou the One who took me,
   And never yet forsook me.
   
4. A portent I have been to many,
   But Thou art, O my LORD,
   My refuge, my reward.
   My mouth is filled with praise and homage,
   And with Thy wondrous glory.
   Hear Thou me, and restore me.
   
5. Do not in my old age forsake me
   When all my strength is spent.
   Hear how my foes consent
   In plans to watch me and to seize me;
   They say, “God does not see him,
   And there is none to free him.”
   
6. O God, my Rock, be not far from me;
   Come to my help, make haste,
   And may those be disgraced
   Who seek my hurt and who accuse me.
   May my oppressors suffer
   The scorn and shame they offer.
   
7. But I will hope in Thee forever,
   And praise Thee more and more;
   My life Thou shalt restore.
   My mouth will tell of all Thy doings,
   Of all Thy acts so righteous
   That to Thy praise incite us.
   
8. The wondrous deeds of Thy salvation
   Shall I praise all day long
   With joyful Psalm and song.
   Their number, LORD, is past my knowledge.
   I’ll show Thy deeds so mighty;
   Thy righteousness delights me.
   
9. Thou from my youth, O God, hast taught me,
   And I do still proclaim
   Thy wondrous deeds, Thy fame.
   Now that I’m old, LORD, and gray-headed,
   Do not forsake and leave me
   When foes and haters grieve me.
   
10. To all the coming generations
    I will proclaim Thy might,
    Thy justice and Thy right.
    Thy righteousness, Thy power and splendor
    Reach unto highest heaven.
    To Thee all praise be given.
    
11. Thou who hast done great things and glorious,
    O God, who is like Thee?
    Thou, who hast burdened me
    With bitter troubles, wilt revive me.
    Out of the depths yet bring me,
    With fame and comfort ring me.
    
12. LORD, with the harp I’ll also praise Thee
    For Thy great faithfulness,
    And with the lyre I’ll bless,
    O Israel’s Holy One, Thy glory.
    My lips will shout for glad ness;
    I shall no more know sad ness.
    
13. My soul also, which Thou hast rescued,
    My tongue, with Psalm and lay,
    Will sing of Thee all day.
    I’ll praise Thy righteous help and greatness;
    Thou who didst not desert me
    Hast shamed who sought to hurt me.