Psalms 17

1 A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that does not go out of deceitful lips.

A prayer of David. Listen, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not [uttered] with deceitful lips.

2 Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

Let my judgment come forth from your presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.

3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

You has proved mine heart; you have visited [me] by night; you have tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: [I am purposed] that my mouth shall not speak [amiss].

4 As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

As for the works of men, by the words of your lips I have guarded [myself from] hard ways.

5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

Direct my steps in your paths, that my steps slip not.

6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

I have cried, for you heard me, O God: incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.

7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

Show the marvels of your mercies, you that save them that hope in you.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

Keep me as the apple of the eye from those that resist your right hand: you shall screen me by the covering of your wings,

9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.

from the face of the ungodly that have afflicted me: mine enemies have compassed about my soul.

10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

They have enclosed [themselves with] their own fat: their mouth has spoken pride.

11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes [so as] to bow them down to the ground.

12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion's whelp dwelling in secret [places].

13 Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and cast them down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: [draw] your sword,

14 from men by your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

because of the enemies of your hand: O Lord, destroy them from the earth; scatter them in their life, though their belly has been filled with your hidden [treasures]: they have been satisfied with uncleanness, and have left the remnant [of their possessions] to their babes.

15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

But I shall appear in righteousness before your face: I shall be satisfied when your glory appears.