Psalm 71
1 In You, Adonai, have I taken refuge.
Let me never be ashamed.
2 Deliver me and rescue me in Your justice.
Turn Your ear to me and save me.
3 Be to me a sheltering rock where I may always go.
Give the command to save me—
for You are my rock and my fortress.
4 My God, rescue me out of the hand of the wicked,
out of the grasp of an evil, ruthless man.
5 For You are my hope, Adonai my Lord—
my trust from my youth.
6 From my birth I have leaned on You.
You took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise is always about You.
7 I am like an ominous sign to many,
but You are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with Your praise
and with Your glory all day.
9 Do not cast me away in the time of old age.
When my strength fails, do not forsake me.
10 For my enemies speak against me.
Those who watch for my soul conspire together,
11 saying: “God has forsaken him—
Pursue and take him, for no one will deliver.”
12 O God, be not far from me!
My God, come quickly to help me.
13 Let the accusers of my soul
be disgraced and destroyed.
Let those who seek to harm me
be covered with scorn and confusion.
14 But I—I will hope continually
and will praise You more and more.
15 My mouth will recount Your justice and Your salvation all day,
though I do not know the sum of them.
16 I come because of the mighty deeds of Adonai my Lord.
I will remember Your righteousness—Yours alone.
17 God, You taught me from my youth,
and I still keep declaring Your wonders.
18 So even until I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
till I tell of Your strong arm to the next generation,
Your might to all who are to come.
19 For Your righteousness, O God,
reaches to high heaven.
You have done great things—O God,
who is like You?
20 You made me see many troubles and evils
—You will revive me again—
from the depths of the earth
You will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness,
and comfort me once again.
22 So I will praise You with the harp for your truth, O my God.
I will sing praises to You with the lyre O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy
—when I sing praises to You—
and my soul, which You have redeemed.
24 Also my tongue will tell of Your righteousness all day.
For those who seek my hurt have been put to shame and confusion.
How often I have floundered trying to take control.
How often I have cried out "Lord!"
Only to move on
As if my strength or willingness to sacrifice myself is what makes Abba love and care for me.
O God, Be not far from me.
Abba, teach me to follow your ways.
Let me declare your wonders and your, and only YOUR, righteousness!
I have seen many troubles. I have seen many evils.
But you revive me again, and again.
Let me turn back to you and stay faithful.
Put those who seek my hurt to shame and confusion.
May they be brought to a place of repentance and salvation just as I seek to.
Thank you, Abba, for your loving kindness.
Thank you, Abba, for your good gifts.
Thank you, Abba, for your Son who took my death upon himself to bring me near.
Help me be a mirror reflecting your character and light to all around.
This week, reflect.
Praise Abba for the trials and tribulation he has brought you out of. (our own Egypt)
Praise his name for the times he has revived you in the midst of sorrow.
Praise his name for the pain he has healed and will heal.
PRAY for those who are also hurting.
PRAY for those who live in death to be brought to repentance so they too, can find life.
Extra Credit --