As the Russian invasion began, Yaakov Bleich, the Chief Rabbi in Ukraine, invited Christians to join Jews in praying Psalm 31. Anatoliy Raychynets, Deputy General Secretary for the Bible Society in Ukraine said: “For me, as a pastor, that Psalm … well, I read it differently now, because it’s about our current situation in Ukraine. This ancient prayer – written several thousand years ago – now we see is so alive, is living.”
Here is a powerful video of Ukrainians praying Psalm 31:
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
as for me, I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.9 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and body with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
and my bones grow weak.
11 Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life.14 But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.
17 Let me not be put to shame, Lord,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous.19 How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.21 Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
22 In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
NIV version used in the translation on the video
The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free,
hear me and speedily rescue me.Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.Release me from the snares they have hidden
for you are my refuge, Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
It is you who will redeem me, Lord.O God of truth, you detest
those who worship false and empty gods.
As for me, I trust in the Lord;
let me be glad and rejoice in your love.You who have seen my affliction
and taken heed of my soul’s distress,
have not handed me over to the enemy
but set my feet at large.Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I am in distress.
Tears have wasted my eyes,
my throat and my heart.For my life is spent with sorrow
and my years with sighs.
Affliction has broken down my strength
and my bones waste away.In the face of all my foes
I am a reproach,
an object of scorn to my neighbors
and of fear to my friends.Those who see me in the street
run far away from me.
I am like the dead, forgotten by all,
like a thing thrown away.I have heard the slander of the crowd,
fear is all around me,
as they plot together against me,
as they plan to take my life.But as for me, I trust in you, Lord;
I say: “You are my God.
My life is in your hands; deliver me
from the hands of those who hate me.Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your love.
Let me not be put to shame for I call you,
let the wicked be shamed!Let them be silenced in the grave,
let lying lips be mute,
that speak haughtily against the just
with pride and contempt.”How great is the goodness, Lord,
that you keep for those who fear you,
that you show to those who trust you
in the sight of all.You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from human plots;
you keep them safe within your tent
from disputing tongues.Blest be the Lord who has shown me
the wonders of his love
in a fortified city.“I am far removed from your sight”
I said in my alarm.
Yet you heard the voice of my plea
when I cried for help.Love the Lord, all you saints.
He guards his faithful
but the Lord will repay to the full
those who act with pride.Be strong, let your heart take courage,
Inclusive Grail version Tuesday Vigils odd number weeks Benedictine Daily Prayer
all who hope in the Lord.
Impossible to pray that psalm or watch the video without tears. I pray all those reading the psalm are safe. God protect them.