Psalm 31

The Psalmist

 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
  I trust in the Lord.

Psalmist Doris
 There are those who seek fame, money
sex, art -
  the praises of those in their circle, the
clamor of empty voices
  but I trust in the Lord.

The Psalmist

I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
 for you see my affliction
 and know the anguish of my soul.

Psalmist Doris
  My affliction O Lord is my affection for you,
some do not count that as a curse - but my soul
knows no boundaries when it comes to you
and  you know what yearnings you stir up
as I search for you.

The Psalmist

You have not handed me over to the enemy
  but have set my feet in a spacious place.

Psalmist Doris
  You have not cast me into the unknown of
 my own doing, but instead have set my being in a
 field  of caring.

 The Psalmist

 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress,
  my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
  my soul and my body with grief.

Psalmist Doris
  Look upon me with kindness O Lord, for you know
my heart,
  my eyes grow heavy with sleep
  my soul and my body  fatigue.

The Psalmist

My life is consumed by anguish
 and my years by groaning;
 my strength fails because of my affliction\
 and my bones grow weak.

Psalmist Doris

  My body grows old with sorrow
 and my years are filled with lamentations,
 my spirit fails because of my disease
 and my bones become brittle.

The Psalmist

Because of all my enemies,
 I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
I am a dread to my friends.

Psalmist Doris
 Because of  my enemies
  I am held with disdain by my neighbors
I am as an eyesore to my friends - something to be wary of

 The Psalmist
those who see me on the street flee from me

Psalmist Doris
to be found in my company would bring trouble

 The Psalmist
I am forgotten by them as though I were dead.

 Psalmist Doris
they marshal their thoughts so that there is no trace of me.

 The Psalmist
I have become like broken pottery.

Psalmist Doris
I have become something to be discarded and heaped upon
the nearest garbage

The Psalmist
For I hear the slander of many
  there is terror on every side.

Psalmist Doris
They speak in whispers lest those in power hear,
   for they are afraid and their bones shake inside their clothes.

The Psalmist
 they conspire against me and
  plot to take my life.

Psalmist Doris
 they congregate on street corners and make plans to
   do me harm.