Read the Bible

¹ Lord, I have come to you for protection;
    never let me be defeated!
² Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.
    Listen to me and save me!
³ Be my secure shelter
    and a strong fortress^[a] to protect me;
    you are my refuge and defense.

⁴ My God, rescue me from wicked people,
    from the power of cruel and evil people.
⁵ Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you;
    I have trusted in you since I was young.
⁶ I have relied on you all my life;
    you have protected^[b] me since the day I was born.
    I will always praise you.

⁷ My life has been an example to many,
    because you have been my strong defender.
⁸ All day long I praise you
    and proclaim your glory.
⁹ Do not reject me now that I am old;
    do not abandon me now that I am feeble.
¹⁰ My enemies want to kill me;
    they talk and plot against me.
¹¹ They say, "God has abandoned him;
    let's go after him and catch him;
    there is no one to rescue him."

¹² Don't stay so far away, O God;
    my God, hurry to my aid!
¹³ May those who attack me
    be defeated and destroyed.
May those who try to hurt me
    be shamed and disgraced.
¹⁴ I will always put my hope in you;
    I will praise you more and more.
¹⁵ I will tell of your goodness;
    all day long I will speak of your salvation,
    though it is more than I can understand.
¹⁶ I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
    I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone.

¹⁷ You have taught me ever since I was young,
    and I still tell of your wonderful acts.
¹⁸ Now that I am old and my hair is gray,
    do not abandon me, O God!
Be with me while I proclaim your power and might
    to all generations to come.

¹⁹ Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies.
    You have done great things;
    there is no one like you.
²⁰ You have sent troubles and suffering on me,
    but you will restore my strength;
    you will keep me from the grave.
²¹ You will make me greater than ever;
    you will comfort me again.

²² I will indeed praise you with the harp;
    I will praise your faithfulness, my God.
On my harp I will play hymns to you,
    the Holy One of Israel.
²³ I will shout for joy as I play for you;
    with my whole being I will sing
    because you have saved me.
²⁴ I will speak of your righteousness all day long,
    because those who tried to harm me
    have been defeated and disgraced.