Psalm 31 (Tate & Brady)

1 Defend me, Lord, from shame,

for still I trust in thee;

As just and righteous is thy Name,

from danger set me free.

2 Bow down thy gracious ear,

and speedy succor send;

Do thou my steadfast rock appear,

to shelter and defend.

3 Since thou, when foes oppress,

my rock and fortress art,

To guide me forth from this distress

thy wonted help impart.

4 Release me from the snare

which they have closely laid,

Since I, O God my strength, repair

to thee alone for aid.

5 To thee, the God of truth,

my life, and all that's mine,

(For thou preserv'dst me from my youth,)

I willingly, resign.

6 All vain designs I hate,

of those that trust in lies;

And still my soul in every state

to God for succor flies.

The Second Part.

7 Those mercies thou hast shown

I'll cheerfully express;

For thou hast seen my straits, and known

my soul in deep distress.

8 When Keilah's treach'rous race

did all my strength enclose,

Thou gav'st my feet a larger space

to shun. my watchful foes.

9 Thy mercy, Lord, display,

and hear my just complaint;

For both my soul and flesh decay,

with grief and hunger faint.

10 Sad thoughts my life oppress;

my years are spent in groans;

My sins have made my strength decrease,

and e'en consumed my bones.

11 My foes my suff'rings mocked;

my neighbors did upbraid;

My friends, at sight of me, were shocked,

and fled as men dismayed.

12 Forsook by all am I,

as dead and out of mind;

And like a shattered vessel lie,

whose parts can ne'er be joined.

13 Yet sland'ring words they speak,

and seem my pow'r to dread;

Whilst they together counsel take

my guiltless blood to shed.

14 But still my steadfast trust

I on thy help repose;

That thou, my God, art good and just,

my soul with comfort knows.

The Third Part.

15 Whate'er events betide,

thy wisdom times them all:

Then, Lord, thy servant safely hide

from those that seek his fall.

16 The brightness of thy face

to me, O Lord, disclose;

And, as thy mercies still increase,

preserve me from my' foes.

17 Me from dishonor save,

who still have called on thee;

Let that, and silence in the grave,

the sinner's portion be.

18 Do thou their tongues restrain,

whose breath in lies is spent;

Who false reports, with proud disdain,

against the righteous vent.

19 How great thy mercies are

to such as fear thy Name,

Which thou, for those that trust thy care,

dost to thc world proclaim!

20 Thou keep'st them in thy sight,

from proud oppressors free;

From tongues that do in strife delight

they are preserved by thee.

21 With glory and renown

God's Name be ever blessed;

Whose love in Keilah's well-fenced town

was wondrously expressed!

22 I said, in hasty flight,

"I'm banished from thine eyes?

Yet still thou kept'st me in thy sight,

and heard'st my earnest cries.

23 O all ye saints, the Lord

with eager love pursue;

Who to the just will help afford,

and give the proud their due.

24 Ye that on God rely,

courageously proceed:

For he will still your hearts supply

with strength in time of need.