1: I run for dear life to GOD, I'll never live to regret it.
2: Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Put your ear to the ground and listen, give me space for salvation.
3: Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open! You're my salvation--my vast, granite fortress.
4: My God, free me from the grip of Wicked, from the clutch of Bad and Bully.
5: You keep me going when times are tough--my bedrock, GOD, since my childhood.
6: I've hung on you from the day of my birth, the day you took me from the cradle; I'll never run out of praise.
7: Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.
8: Just as each day brims with your beauty, my mouth brims with praise.
9: But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight.
10: My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me.
11: The gossip is: "God has abandoned him. Pounce on him now; no one will help him."
12: God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side!
13: My accusers--make them lose face. Those out to get me--make them look Like idiots,
14: while I stretch out, reaching for you, and daily add praise to praise.
15: I'll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation the livelong day, never run out of good things to write or say.
16: I come in the power of the Lord GOD, I post signs marking his right--of-way.
17: You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders;
18: I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come,
19: Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you?
20: You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I've been to the bottom; Bring me up,
21: streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me,
22: And I'll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. I'll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel.
23: When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song.
24: All day long I'm chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed. A Solomon psalm