Psalm 31, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.

Classic

1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Modern

2Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.

Classic

2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

Modern

3For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.

Classic

3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

Modern

4You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.

Classic

4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

Modern

5Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.

Classic

5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Modern

6I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.

Classic

6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

Modern

7I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.

Classic

7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

Modern

8You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.

Classic

8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Modern

9Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well.

Classic

9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

Modern

10For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away.

Classic

10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Modern

11Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends— they flee when they see me on the street.

Classic

11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

Modern

12I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.

Classic

12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

Modern

13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Classic

13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Modern

14But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

Classic

14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

Modern

15My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Classic

15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Modern

16Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.

Classic

16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.

Modern

17O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on You. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them lie silent in Sheol.

Classic

17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

Modern

18May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.

Classic

18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Modern

19How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You!

Classic

19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Modern

20You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

Classic

20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Modern

21Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His loving devotion in a city under siege.

Classic

21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

Modern

22In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.

Classic

22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

Modern

23Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant.

Classic

23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Modern

24Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.

Classic

24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.