Psalm 71
Lord, I have come to you for protection;
    never let me be defeated!
Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me.
    Listen to me and save me!|
Be my secure shelter
    and a strong fortress to protect me;
    you are my refuge and defense.

My God, rescue me from wicked people,
    from the power of cruel and evil people.
Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you;
    I have trusted in you since I was young.
I have relied on you all my life;
    you have protected me since the day I was born.
    I will always praise you.

My life has been an example to many,
    because you have been my strong defender.
All day long I praise you
    and proclaim your glory.
Do not reject me now that I am old;
    do not abandon me now that I am feeble.
My enemies want to kill me;
    they talk and plot against me.
They say, “God has abandoned him;
    let’s go after him and catch him;
    there is no one to rescue him.”

Don’t stay so far away, O God;
    my God, hurry to my aid!
May those who attack me
    be defeated and destroyed.
May those who try to hurt me
    be shamed and disgraced.
I will always put my hope in you;
    I will praise you more and more.
I will tell of your goodness;
    all day long I will speak of your salvation,
    though it is more than I can understand.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
    I will proclaim your goodness, yours alone.

You have taught me ever since I was young,
    and I still tell of your wonderful acts.
Now 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.

Your righteousness, God, reaches the skies.
    You have done great things;
    there is no one like you.
You have sent troubles and suffering on me,
    but you will restore my strength;
    you will keep me from the grave.
You will make me greater than ever;
    you will comfort me again.

I 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.
I will shout for joy as I play for you;
    with my whole being I will sing
because you have saved me.
I will speak of your righteousness all day long,
    because those who tried to harm me
    have been defeated and disgraced.

Companionship
 You, O God, are my rock and my refuge.
 You are the stronghold of my life.
 You are my hope.
 Upon you I have leaned since my birth,
 From  my mother’s womb you claimed me.
 Now,  I am older and grey headed,
you are still with me.

 Through the journey of my life,
 you have been there;
 together we have done marvellous things!
In times of hardship and  oppression,
 we endured many trials.
 In times of gladness and joy,
 we sang of our love.
 Our good times cannot be numbered!

When the Earth one day reclaims me
 and I lie in its depths
 you will be there with me;
 you shall exalt and comfort me,
 and since I am made of you,
 you will raise me.