¹Always I will lift up my soul into your presence, Yahweh .

²Be there for me , my God, for I keep trusting in you.

Don’t allow my foes to gloat over me or

the shame of defeat to overtake me.

³Could anyone be disgraced

when he has entwined his heart with yours?

But my foes will all be defeated and ashamed

when they harm the innocent.

⁴Direct me, Yahweh , throughout my journey

so I can experience your plans for my life.

Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you .

⁵Escort me into your truth; take me by the hand and teach me.[#25:5 Or “Reveal your truth to me as I move forward.”]

For you are the God of my salvation;

I have wrapped my heart into yours all day long!

^6-7Forgive my failures as a young man,

and overlook the sins of my immaturity.

Give me grace, Yahweh ! Always look at me

through your eyes of love—

your forgiving eyes of mercy and compassion.

When you think of me, see me as one you love and care for.

⁸How good you are to me!

When people turn to you, Yahweh ,

they discover how easy you are to please—so faithful and true!

Joyfully you teach them the proper path,

even when they go astray.

⁹Keep showing the humble your path,

and lead them into the best decision.

Bring revelation-light that trains them in the truth.

¹⁰Loving are all the ways of Yahweh , loving and faithful for those who keep his covenant.

¹¹For the honor of your name, Yahweh ,

never count my many sins, and forgive them all—

lift their burden off of my life!

¹²Who are they that live in the holy fear of Yahweh ?

You will show them the right path to take.

¹³Then prosperity and favor will be their portion,

and their descendants will inherit the earth.

¹⁴There’s a private place reserved for the devoted lovers of Yahweh ,

where they sit near him and receive

the revelation-secrets of his promises.

¹⁵Rescue me, Yahweh , for you free my feet from every trap.

¹⁶Sorrows fill my heart as I feel helpless, mistreated—

I’m all alone and in misery!

Come closer to me now, for I need your mercy.

¹⁷Turn to me, for my problems seem to be going from bad to worse.

Only you can free me from all these troubles!

¹⁸Until you lift this burden, the burden of all my sins,

my troubles and trials will be more than I can handle.

Can’t you feel my pain?

¹⁹Vicious, violent enemies hate me.[#25:19 This is the Hebrew word hamas .]

There are so many, Lord. Can’t you see?

²⁰Will you protect me from their power against me? I have taken shelter in you.

Let it never be said that when I trusted you,

you didn’t come to my rescue.

²¹Your perfection and faithfulness are my bodyguards,

for you are my hope and I trust in you as my only protection.

²²Zealously, God, we ask you

to come save Israel from all her troubles,

for you provide the ransom price for your people!