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āāPsalms⬠ā71:1ā-ā¬24⬠āMSGā¬ā¬
[1-3] I run for dear life to God, Iāll never live to regret it. 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. Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open! Youāre my salvationāmy vast, granite fortress. [4-7] My God, free me from the grip of Wicked, from the clutch of Bad and Bully. You keep me going when times are toughā my bedrock, God, since my childhood. Iāve hung on you from the day of my birth, the day you took me from the cradle; Iāll never run out of praise. Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride. [8-11] Just as each day brims with your beauty, my mouth brims with praise. But donāt turn me out to pasture when Iām old or put me on the shelf when I canāt pull my weight. My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me. The gossip is: āGod has abandoned him. Pounce on him now; no one will help him.ā [12-16] God, donāt just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side! My accusersāmake them lose face. Those out to get meāmake them look Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you, and daily add praise to praise. Iāll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation all the day long, never run out of good things to write or say. I come in the power of the Lord God, I post signs marking his right-of-way. [17-24] You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now Iām telling the world your wonders; Iāll keep at it until Iām old and gray. God, donāt 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, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, youāve done it all! Who is quite like you? You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. Iāve been to the bottom; Bring me up, streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me, And Iāll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. Iāll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel. When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song. All day long Iām chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.

