Do Not Forsake Me in Old Age

Verses 1–13 · fear of being forsaken in old age

1. ^{verse 1}In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2. ^{verse 2}In Your justice, rescue and deliver me; incline Your ear and save me.
3. ^{verse 3}Be my rock of refuge, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.
4. ^{verse 4}Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
5. ^{verse 5}For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth.
6. ^{verse 6}I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.
7. ^{verse 7}I have become a portent to many, but You are my strong refuge.
8. ^{verse 8}My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your splendor all day long.
9. ^{verse 9}Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
10. ^{verse 10}For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire,
11. ^{verse 11}saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”
12. ^{verse 12}Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.
13. ^{verse 13}May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.

Verses 14–24 · hope that grows and praise that increases

1. ^{verse 14}But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.
2. ^{verse 15}My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.
3. ^{verse 16}I will come in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will proclaim Your righteousness — Yours alone.
4. ^{verse 17}O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.
5. ^{verse 18}Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.
6. ^{verse 19}Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?
7. ^{verse 20}Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.
8. ^{verse 21}You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
9. ^{verse 22}So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
10. ^{verse 23}When I sing praise to You my lips will shout for joy, along with my soul, which You have redeemed.
11. ^{verse 24}My tongue will indeed proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who seek my harm are disgraced and confounded.