Trust from Youth to Old Age

Psalms 70

An aged servant of the Lord recalls having trusted in God from his youth and even from birth, and pleads not to be cast off now that he is old and his strength is failing. He resolves to keep declaring God's righteousness and mighty works to every generation to come, confident that the Lord who has revived him before will do so again.

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

ThomsonIN Thee, O Lord, I have put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

BrentonBy David, a Psalm sung by the sons of Jonadab, and the first that were taken captive. O Lord, I have hoped in thee: let me never be put to shame.

GreekΤῷ Δαυὶδ υἱῶν Ἰωναδὰβ, καὶ τῶν πρώτων αἰχμαλωτισθέντων. Ἐπὶ σοὶ Κύριε ἤλπισα, μὴ καταισχυνθείην εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVIn thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

JPSIn Thee, O LORD, have I taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed.

ThomsonIn Thy saving mercy deliver me and rescue me: incline Thine ear to me and save me.

BrentonIn thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me: incline thine ear to me, and save me.

GreekἘν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ῥῦσαί με καὶ ἐξελοῦ με, κλῖνον πρὸς μὲ τὸ οὖς σου καὶ σῶσόν με.

KJVDeliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

JPSDeliver me in Thy righteousness, and rescue me; Incline Thine ear unto me, and save me.

ThomsonBe Thou to me a protecting God, and a place of strength to save me:

BrentonBe to me a protecting God, and a strong hold to save me: for thou art my fortress and my refuge.

GreekΓενοῦ μοι εἰς Θεὸν ὑπερασπιστὴν, καὶ εἰς τόπον ὀχυρὸν τοῦ σῶσαί με, ὅτι στερέωμά μου καὶ καταφυγή μου εἶ σύ.

KJVBe thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

JPSBe Thou to me a sheltering rock, whereunto I may continually resort, Which Thou hast appointed to save me; For Thou art my rock and my fortress.

Thomsonfor Thou art my fortress and my refuge. O my God, deliver me out of a sinner’s hand—out of the hand of an unrighteous and cruel man.

BrentonDeliver me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, from the hand of the transgressor and unjust man.

GreekὉ Θεός μου ῥῦσαί με ἐκ χειρὸς ἁμαρτωλοῦ, ἐκ χειρὸς παρανομοῦντος καὶ ἀδικοῦντος.

KJVDeliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

JPSO my God, rescue me out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the grasp of the unrighteous and ruthless man.

ThomsonFor Thou, O Lord, art mine expectation—Thou, Lord, art my hope, from my youth;

BrentonFor thou art my support, O Lord; O Lord, thou art my hope from my youth.

GreekὍτι σὺ εἶ ἡ ὑπομονή μου Κύριε, Κύριε ἡ ἐλπίς μου ἐκ νεότητός μου·

KJVFor thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

JPSFor Thou art my hope; O Lord GOD, my trust from my youth.

Thomsonupon Thee I have leaned from the womb: from my birth Thou art my protector; Thou art the constant subject of my song.

BrentonOn thee have I been stayed from the womb: from the belly of my mother thou art my protector: of thee is my praise continually.

GreekἘπὶ σὲ ἐπεστηρίχθην ἀπὸ γαστρὸς, ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου σύ μου εἶ σκεπαστής. ἐν σοὶ ἡ ὕμνησίς μου διαπαντός.

KJVBy thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

JPSUpon Thee have I stayed myself from birth; Thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb; My praise is continually of Thee.

ThomsonTo many I became a wonder; but Thou wast my powerful assistant.

BrentonI am become as it were a wonder to many; but thou art my strong helper.

GreekὩσεὶ τέρας ἐγενήθην τοῖς πολλοῖς, καὶ σὺ βοηθὸς κραταιός.

KJVI am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

JPSI am as a wonder unto many; But Thou art my strong refuge.

ThomsonLet my mouth be filled with praise, that I may celebrate Thy glory—Thy majesty, all the day long.

BrentonLet my mouth be filled with praise, that I may hymn thy glory, and thy majesty all the day.

GreekΠληρωθήτω τὸ στόμα μου αἰνέσεως, ὅπως ὑμνήσω τὴν δόξαν σου, ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν μεγαλοπρέπειάν σου.

KJVLet my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

JPSMy mouth shall be filled with Thy praise, And with Thy glory all the day. .

ThomsonCast me not off in the time of old age: forsake me not when my strength faileth.

BrentonCast me not off at the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.

GreekΜὴ ἀποῤῥίψῃς με εἰς καιρὸν γήρους, ἐν τῷ ἐκλείπειν τὴν ἰσχύν μου μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς με.

KJVCast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

JPSCast me not off in the time of old age; When my strength faileth, forsake me not.

ThomsonBecause mine enemies have said to me—nay, my assassins have consulted together,

BrentonFor mine enemies have spoken against me; and they that lay wait for my soul have taken counsel together,

GreekὍτι εἶπαν οἱ ἐχθροί μου ἐμοὶ, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐβουλεύσαντο ἐπιτοαυτὸ,

KJVFor mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

JPSFor mine enemies speak concerning me, And they that watch for my soul take counsel together,

Thomsonsaying, “God hath forsaken him; pursue and take him, for he hath no deliverer.”

Brentonsaying, God has forsaken him: persecute ye and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

Greekλέγοντες, ὁ Θεὸς ἐγκατέλιπεν αὐτὸν, καταδιώξατε καὶ καταλάβετε αὐτὸν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ῥυόμενος.

KJVSaying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

JPSSaying: 'God hath forsaken him; Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.'

ThomsonO God, be not far from me; draw near, O my God, to my assistance.

BrentonO God, go not far from me, O my God, draw nigh to my help.

GreekὉ Θεὸς μὴ μακρύνῃς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ,

KJVO God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

JPSO God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me.

ThomsonLet them who plot against my life be confounded, and perish;—let them, who seek to do me hurt, be clothed with shame and confusion.

BrentonLet those that plot against my soul be ashamed and utterly fail: let those that seek my hurt be clothed with shame and dishonour.

Greekὁ Θεός μου εἰς τὴν βοήθειάν μου πρόσχες. Αἰσχυνθήτωσαν καὶ ἐκλιπέτωσαν οἱ ἐνδιαβάλλοντες τὴν ψυχήν μου, περιβαλλέσθωσαν αἰσχύνην καὶ ἐντροπὴν οἱ ζητοῦντες τὰ κακά μοι.

KJVLet them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

JPSLet them be ashamed and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; Let them be covered with reproach and confusion that seek my hurt.

ThomsonBut as for me, I will hope continually; and I will yet praise Thee more and more.

BrentonBut I will hope continually, and will praise thee more and more.

GreekἘγὼ δὲ διαπαντὸς ἐλπιῶ, καὶ προσθήσω ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν αἴνεσίν σου.

KJVBut I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

JPSBut as for me, I will hope continually, And will praise Thee yet more and more.

ThomsonMy mouth shall proclaim Thy saving mercy—Thy salvation all the day long.

BrentonMy mouth shall declare thy righteousness openly, and thy salvation all the day; for I am not acquainted with the affairs of men.

GreekΤὸ στόμα μου ἐξαγγελεῖ τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου, ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν σωτηρίαν σου· ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνων πραγματείας.

KJVMy mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

JPSMy mouth shall tell of Thy righteousness, And of Thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers thereof.

ThomsonBecause I am unpractised in studies I will go in the strength of the Lord; I will mention the saving mercy of Thee, O Lord, alone.

BrentonI will go on in the might of the Lord: O Lord, I will make mention of thy righteousness only.

GreekΕἰσελεύσομαι ἐν δυναστείᾳ Κυρίου, Κύριε μνησθήσομαι τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου μόνου.

KJVI will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

JPSI will come with Thy mighty acts, O Lord GOD; I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only.

ThomsonThou, O God, hast taught me from my youth: and thus far I can declare Thy wonders—

BrentonO God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and until now will I declare thy wonders;

GreekἘδίδαξας με ὁ Θεὸς ἐκ νεότητός μου, καὶ μέχρι νῦν ἀπαγγελῶ τὰ θαυμάσιά σου,

KJVO God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

JPSO God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; And until now do I declare Thy wondrous works.

Thomsoneven to old age and grey hairs. O God, forsake me not, till I declare Thine arm to the rising generation—

Brentoneven until I am old and advanced in years. O God, forsake me not; until I shall have declared thine arm to all the generation that is to come:

Greekκαὶ ἕως γήρους καὶ πρεσβείου· ὁ Θεὸς μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς με, ἕως ἂν ἀπαγγείλω τὸν βραχίονά σου πάσῃ τῇ γενεᾷ τῇ ἐρχομένῃ· Τὴν δυναστείαν σου,

KJVNow also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

JPSAnd even unto old age and hoary hairs, O God, forsake me not; Until I have declared Thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.

ThomsonThy power and Thy righteousness, O God Most High—the great things which Thou hast done. Who is like Thee, O God?

Brentoneven thy power and thy righteousness, O God, up to the highest heavens, even the mighty works which thou hast done: O God, who is like to thee?

Greekκαὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου ὁ Θεὸς ἕως ὑψίστων, ἃ ἐποίησας μεγαλεῖα· ὁ Θεὸς τίς ὅμοιός σοι;

KJVThy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

JPSThy righteousness also, O God, which reacheth unto high heaven; Thou who hast done great things, O God, who is like unto Thee?

ThomsonO what afflictions many and sore hast Thou shewn me! But Thou hast returned and quickened me; and brought me up again from the depths of the earth.

BrentonWhat afflictions many and sore hast thou shewed me! yet thou didst turn and quicken me, and broughtest me again from the depths of the earth.

GreekὍσας ἔδειξάς μοι θλίψεις πολλὰς καὶ κακάς; καὶ ἐπιστρέψας ἐζωοποίησάς με, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἀβύσσων τῆς γῆς πάλιν ἀνήγαγές με.

KJVThou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

JPSThou, who hast made me to see many and sore troubles, Wilt quicken me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

ThomsonThou hast multiplied Thy saving mercy: Thou hast returned and comforted me; and hast brought me up again from the depths of the earth.

BrentonThou didst multiply thy righteousness, and didst turn and comfort me, and broughtest me again out of the depths of the earth.

GreekἘπλεόνασας τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας παρεκάλεσάς με, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἀβύσσων τῆς γῆς πάλιν ἀνήγαγές με.

KJV—

JPSThou wilt increase my greatness, And turn and comfort me.

ThomsonTherefore with a musical instrument I will praise Thee—Thy truth, O God: I will sing and play on a kithara to Thee, the Holy One of Israel.

BrentonI will also therefore give thanks to thee, O God, because of thy truth, on an instrument of psalmody: I will sing psalms to thee on the harp, O Holy One of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ ἐξομολογήσομαί σοι ἐν σκεύει ψαλμοῦ τὴν ἀλήθειάν σου ὁ Θεὸς, ψαλῶ σοι ἐν κιθάρᾳ ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVI will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

JPSI also will give thanks unto Thee with the psaltery, Even unto Thy truth, O my God; I will sing praises unto Thee with the harp, O Thou Holy One of Israel.

ThomsonMy lips shall rejoice, when I play to Thee; my soul also which Thou hast redeemed.

BrentonMy lips shall rejoice when I sing to thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

GreekἈγαλλιάσονται τὰ χείλη μου ὅταν ψάλω σοι, καὶ ἡ ψυχή μου ἣν ἐλυτρώσω.

KJVMy lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

JPSMy lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing praises unto Thee; And my soul, which Thou hast redeemed.

ThomsonMy tongue shall still talk of Thy saving mercy all the day long, when they who seek my hurt are shamed and confounded.

BrentonMoreover also my tongue shall dwell all the day upon thy righteousness; when they shall be ashamed and confounded that seek my hurt.

GreekἜτι δὲ καὶ ἡ γλῶσσά μου ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν μελετήσει τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου, ὅταν αἰσχυνθῶσι καὶ ἐντραπῶσιν οἱ ζητοῦντες τὰ κακά μοι.

KJVMy tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

JPSMy tongue also shall tell of Thy righteousness all the day; For they are ashamed, for they are abashed, that seek my hurt.