You Have Been My Hope!

Psalm 71:1-24 (The Message)

1I run for dear life to God, I'll never live to regret it.2Do 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.3Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open! You're my salvation - my vast, granite fortress.4My God, free me from the grip of Wicked, from the clutch of Bad and Bully.5You keep me going when times are tough - my bedrock, God, since my childhood.6I'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.7Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.8Just as each day brims with your beauty, my mouth brims with praise.9But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight.10My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me.11The gossip is: "God has abandoned him. Pounce on him now; no one will help him."12God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side!13My accusers - make them lose face. Those out to get me - make them look14while I stretch out, reaching for you, and daily add praise to praise.15I'll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation the livelong day, never run out of good things to write or say.16I come in the power of the Lord God, I post signs marking his right-of-way.17You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders;18I'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,19Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you?20You, 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;21streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me,22And 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.23When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song.24All day long I'm chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.