The Prayer of an Elderly Person

1Lord, I have come to you for protection;

never let me be defeated!

2Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.

Listen to me and save me!

3Be my secure shelter

and a strong fortress+ to protect me;

you are my refuge and defense.

4My God, rescue me from wicked people,

from the power of cruel and evil people.

5Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you;

I have trusted in you since I was young.

6I have relied on you all my life;

you have protected+ me since the day I was born.

I will always praise you.

7My life has been an example to many,

because you have been my strong defender.

8All day long I praise you

and proclaim your glory.

9Do not reject me now that I am old;

do not abandon me now that I am feeble.

10My enemies want to kill me;

they talk and plot against me.

11They say, “God has abandoned him;

let's go after him and catch him;

there is no one to rescue him.”

12Don't stay so far away, O God;

my God, hurry to my aid!

13May those who attack me

be defeated and destroyed.

May those who try to hurt me

be shamed and disgraced.

14I will always put my hope in you;

I will praise you more and more.

15I will tell of your goodness;

all day long I will speak of your salvation,

though it is more than I can understand.

16I will go in the strength of the Lord God;

I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone.

17You have taught me ever since I was young,

and I still tell of your wonderful acts.

18Now that I am old and my hair is gray,

do not abandon me, O God!

Be with me while I proclaim your power and might

to all generations to come.

19Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies.

You have done great things;

there is no one like you.

20You have sent troubles and suffering on me,

but you will restore my strength;

you will keep me from the grave.

21You will make me greater than ever;

you will comfort me again.

22I will indeed praise you with the harp;

I will praise your faithfulness, my God.

On my harp I will play hymns to you,

the Holy One of Israel.

23I will shout for joy as I play for you;

with my whole being I will sing

because you have saved me.

24I will speak of your righteousness all day long,

because those who tried to harm me

have been defeated and disgraced.