A Summer of Psalms

Psalm 31:1-5, 9-10, 21-24

To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
   do not let me ever be put to shame;
   in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me;
   rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
   a strong fortress to save me.


3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
   for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
   for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
   you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.


9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
   my eye wastes away from grief,
   my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
   and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,*
   and my bones waste away.


21 Blessed be the Lord,
   for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
   when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm,
   ‘I am driven far* from your sight.’
But you heard my supplications
   when I cried out to you for help.


23 Love the Lord, all you his saints.
   The Lord preserves the faithful,
   but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
   all you who wait for the Lord.



Clockwise from top: The Great Psalms Scroll from Qumran (1stc.); Cathach of St. Columbia Psalter (Ireland, 7th c.); Vespasian Psalter (England, 8th c.); Ps 27 from the Utrecht Psalter (Netherlands, 9th c.); Ps 89 from the Genevan Psalter (16th c.); Kiev Psalter (14thc.).