Psalms 17

1 A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit.

The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.

2 May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.

Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.

3 You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.

Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night, thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.

4 As for the deeds of men— by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

That my mouth may not speak the works of men: for the sake of the words of thy lips, I have kept hard ways.

5 My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.

Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved.

6 I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.

I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.

7 Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.

Shew forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust in thee.

8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings

From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.

9 from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul:

10 They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.

They have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly.

11 They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,

They have cast me forth and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth.

12 like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.

They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a young lion dwelling in secret places.

13 Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,

Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul from the wicked one: thy sword

14 from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.

From the enemies of thy hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life: their belly is filled from thy hidden stores. They are full of children: and they have left to their little ones the rest of their substance.

15 As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.

But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.