Trust in a Time of Fear

Psalms 30

The psalmist appeals to the Lord as his refuge and defender amid affliction, describing bodily weakness, the scorn of neighbors, and slander gathered against him by those plotting his death. Even so he commits his spirit into the Lord's hands, trusts in his goodness stored up for the faithful, and calls others to be strong and hope in the Lord.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson—

BrentonFor the end, a Psalm of David, an utterance of extreme fear.

GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυὶδ, ἐκστάσεως.

KJV—

JPSFor the Leader. A Psalm of David.

ThomsonIN Thee, O Lord, I have trusted. Let me never be put to shame. In Thy saving mercy rescue me and deliver me—

BrentonO Lord, I have hoped in thee; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness and rescue me.

GreekἘπὶ σοὶ Κύριε ἤλπισα, μὴ καταισχυνθείην εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἐν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ῥῦσαί με καὶ ἐξελοῦ με.

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

JPSIn thee, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Thy righteousness.

ThomsonIncline Thine ear to me! haste to deliver me. Be Thou to me a protecting God—a house of refuge to save me.

BrentonIncline thine ear to me; make haste to rescue me: be thou to me for a protecting God, and for a house of refuge to save me.

GreekΚλῖνον πρὸς μὲ τὸ οὖς σου, τὰχυνον τοῦ ἐξελέσθαι με γενοῦ μοι εἰς Θεὸν ὑπερασπιστὴν καὶ εἰς οἶκον καταφυγῆς τοῦ σῶσαί με.

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

JPSIncline Thine ear unto me, deliver me speedily; Be Thou to me a rock of refuge, even a fortress of defence, to save me.

ThomsonBecause Thou art my strength and my refuge; Thou therefore, for Thy name’s sake, wilt guide and nourish me:

BrentonFor thou art my strength and my refuge; and thou shalt guide me for thy name's sake, and maintain me.

GreekὍτι κραταίωμά μου καὶ καταφυγή μου εἶ σὺ, καὶ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου ὁδηγήσεις με, καὶ διαθρέψεις με.

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

JPSFor Thou art my rock and my fortress; Therefore for Thy name's sake lead me and guide me.

ThomsonThou wilt extricate me from this snare, which they have privily laid for me. Because Thou, O Lord, art my protector;

BrentonThou shalt bring me out of the snare which they have hidden for me; for thou, O Lord, art my defender.

GreekἘξάξεις με ἐκ παγίδος ταύτης ἧς ἔκρυψάν μοι, ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ὑπερασπιστής μου, Κύριε.

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

JPSBring me forth out of the net that they have hidden for me; For Thou art my stronghold.

Thomsoninto Thy hands I will commit my spirit. Thou, O Lord the God of truth hast redeemed me.

BrentonInto thine hands I will commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

GreekΕἰς χεῖράς σου παραθήσομαι τὸ πνεῦμά μου, ἐλυτρώσω με Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς τῆς ἀληθέιας.

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

JPSInto Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, Thou God of truth.

ThomsonThou hatedst them who fruitlessly regard vanities; but I have trusted in the Lord.

BrentonThou hast hated them that idly persist in vanities: but I have hoped in the Lord.

GreekἘμίσησας τοὺς διαφυλάσσοντας ματαιότητας διακενῆς· ἐγὼ δὲ ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ ἤλπισα.

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

JPSI hate them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in the LORD.

ThomsonI will exult with joy and rejoice in Thy mercy: because Thou hast looked on my humiliation—hast delivered my soul from these distresses—

BrentonI will exult and be glad in thy mercy: for thou hast looked upon mine affliction; thou hast saved my soul from distresses.

GreekἈγαλλιάσομαι καὶ εὐφρανθήσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ ἐλέει σου· ὅτι ἐπεῖδες τὴν ταπείνωσίν μου, ἔσωσας ἐκ τῶν ἀναγκῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου.

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

JPSI will be glad and rejoice in Thy lovingkindness; For Thou hast seen mine affliction, Thou hast taken cognizance of the troubles of my soul,

Thomsonhast not shut me up into an enemy’s hand—hast set my feet in a roomy place.

BrentonAnd thou hast not shut me up into the hands of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a wide place.

GreekΚαὶ οὐ συνέκλεισάς με εἰς χεῖρας ἐχθροῦ, ἔστησας ἐν εὐρυχώρῳ τοὺς πόδας μου.

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

JPSAnd Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a broad place.

ThomsonPity me, O Lord, for I am afflicted: with indignation mine eye was troubled—my soul and all within me.

BrentonPity me, O Lord, for I am afflicted: my eye is troubled with indignation, my soul and my belly.

GreekἘλέησόν με, Κύριε, ὅτι θλίβομαι· ἐταράχθη ἐν θυμῷ ὁ ὀφθαλμός μου, ἡ ψυχή μου, καὶ ἡ γαστήρ μου.

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

JPSBe gracious unto me, O LORD, for I am in distress; Mine eye wasteth away with vexation, yea, my soul and my body.

ThomsonBecause my life was spent with grief, and my years with sighing—with affliction my strength was exhausted and my bones were troubled;

BrentonFor my life is spent with grief, and my years with groanings: my strength has been weakened through poverty, and my bones are troubled.

GreekὍτι ἐξέλιπεν ἐν ὀδύνῃ ἡ ζωή μου, καὶ τὰ ἔτη μου ἐν στεναγμοῖς· ἠσθένησεν ἐν πτωχείᾳ ἡ ἰσχύς μου, καὶ τὰ ὀστᾶ μου ἐταράχθησαν.

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

JPSFor my life is spent in sorrow, and my years in sighing; My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.

Thomsonamong all mine enemies I became a reproach; and to my neighbours especially, and to my acquaintance, a terror. They who saw me abroad fled from me;

BrentonI became a reproach among all mine enemies, but exceedingly so to my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that saw me without fled from me.

GreekΠαρὰ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθρούς μου ἐγενήθην ὄνειδος, καὶ τοῖς γείτοσί μου σφόδρα, καὶ φόβος τοῖς γνωστοῖς μου· οἱ θεωροῦντές με ἔξω ἔφυγον ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ·

KJVI 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.

JPSBecause of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach, Yea, unto my neighbours exceedingly, and a dread to mine acquaintance; They that see me without flee from me.

Thomsonlike a dead man out of mind I was quite forgotten: I became like a broken vessel.

BrentonI have been forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am become as a broken vessel.

GreekἘπελήσθην ὡσεὶ νεκρὸς ἀπὸ καρδίας· ἐγενήθην ὡσεὶ σκεῦος ἀπολωλὸς,

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

JPSI am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a useless vessel.

ThomsonBecause I heard the whispers of many who dwell around me; when they assembled together against me they consulted how to take my life;

BrentonFor I heard the slander of many that dwelt round about: when they were gathered together against me, they took counsel to take my life.

Greekὅτι ἤκουσα ψόγον πολλῶν παροικούντων κυκλόθεν· ἐν τῷ συναχθῆναι αὐτοὺς ἅμα ἐπʼ ἐμὲ, τοῦ λαβεῖν τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐβουλεύσαντο.

KJVFor 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.

JPSFor I have heard the whispering of many, Terror on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life.

Thomsonbut as for me, I put my trust in Thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my God;

BrentonBut I hoped in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.

GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα, Κύριε· εἶπα, σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεός μου,

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

JPSBut as for me, I have trusted in Thee, O LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my God.'

Thomsonin Thy hands are my lots; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them who are persecuting me.

BrentonMy lots are in thy hands: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies,

Greekἐν ταῖς χερσί σου οἱ κλῆροί μου· ῥῦσαί με ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν μου, καὶ ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με.

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

JPSMy times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

ThomsonLet Thy face shine upon Thy servant: save me for Thy mercy’s sake.

Brentonand from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me in thy mercy.

GreekἘπίφανον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου, σῶσόν με ἐν τῷ ἐλέει σου.

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

JPSMake Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; Save me in Thy lovingkindness.

ThomsonO Lord, let me not be shamed, because I have invoked Thee. Let the wicked be shamed and driven down to the mansion of the dead.

BrentonO Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon thee: let the ungodly be ashamed, and brought down to Hades.

GreekΚύριε, μὴ καταισχυνθείην, ὅτι ἐπεκαλεσάμην σε· αἰσχυνθείησαν οἱ ἀσεβεῖς, καὶ καταχθείησαν εἰς ᾅδου.

KJVLet 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.

JPSO LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon Thee; Let the wicked be ashamed, let them be put to silence in the nether-world.

ThomsonLet those deceitful lips become speechless, which speak injustice against the righteous with pride and contempt.

BrentonLet the deceitful lips become dumb, which speak iniquity against the righteous with pride and scorn.

GreekἌλαλα γενηθήτω τὰ χείλη τὰ δόλια, τὰ λαλοῦντα κατὰ τοῦ δικαίου ἀνομίαν ἐν ὑπερηφανίᾳ καὶ ἐξουδενώσει.

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

JPSLet the lying lips be dumb, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous, With pride and contempt.

ThomsonHow great, O Lord, is the abundance of Thy kindness, which Thou hast laid up in store for them who fear Thee—hast provided for them who trust in Thee before the sons of men.

BrentonHow abundant is the multitude of thy goodness, O Lord, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee! thou hast wrought it out for them that hope on thee, in the presence of the sons of men.

GreekὩς πολὺ τὸ πλῆθος τῆς χρηστότητός σου, Κύριε, ἧς ἔκρυψας τοῖς φοβουμένοις σε; ἐξειργάσω τοῖς ἐλπίζουσιν ἐπὶ σὲ, ἐναντίον τῶν υἱῶν τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

KJVOh 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!

JPSOh how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; Which Thou hast wrought for them that take their refuge in Thee, in the sight of the sons of men!

ThomsonIn the secret of Thy presence Thou wilt hide them from the trouble of men; Thou wilt shelter them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

BrentonThou wilt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the vexation of man: thou wilt screen them in a tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues.

GreekΚατακρύψεις αὐτοὺς ἐν ἀποκρύφῳ τοῦ προσώπου σου ἀπὸ ταραχῆς ἀνθρώπων, σκεπάσεις αὐτοὺς ἐν σκηνῇ ἀπὸ ἀντιλογίας γλωσσῶν.

KJVThou 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.

JPSThou hidest them in the covert of Thy presence from the plottings of man; Thou concealest them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

ThomsonBlessed be the Lord, because He hath marvellously displayed His mercy in a city besieged.

BrentonBlessed be the Lord: for he has magnified his mercy in a fortified city.

GreekΕὐλογητὸς Κύριος, ὅτι ἐθαυμάστωσε τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐν πόλει περιοχῆς.

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

JPSBlessed be the LORD; For He hath shown me His wondrous lovingkindness in an entrenched city.

ThomsonAs for me, on my surprisal I said, I am cast far from Thy presence; therefore Thou, O Lord, didst hear the voice of my supplication when I cried to Thee.

BrentonBut I said in my extreme fear, I am cast out from the sight of thine eyes: therefore thou didst hearken, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication when I cried to thee.

GreekἘγὼ δὲ εἶπα ἐν τῇ ἐκστάσει μου, ἀπέῤῥιμμαι ἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν σου· διὰ τοῦτο εἰσήκουσας, Κύριε, τῆς φωνῆς τῆς δεήσεώς μου ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς σέ.

KJVFor 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.

JPSAs for me, 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.

ThomsonO love the Lord, all ye His saints, for the Lord searcheth out truth, and retributeth largely to the insolent.

BrentonLove the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord seeks for truth, and renders a reward to them that deal very proudly.

GreekἈγαπήσατε τὸν Κύριον πάντες οἱ ὅσιοι αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀληθείας ἐκζητεῖ Κύριος, καὶ ἀνταποδίδωσι τοῖς περισσῶς ποιοῦσιν ὑπερηφανίαν.

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

JPS—

ThomsonTake courage and let your hearts be strong, all ye whose trust is in the Lord.

BrentonBe of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened, all ye that hope in the Lord.

GreekἈνδρίζεσθε, καὶ κραταιούσθω ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν, πάντες οἱ ἐλπίζοντες ἐπὶ Κύριον.

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

JPSBe strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that wait for the LORD.