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.
A prayer of David. Lord, please hear my cry for justice! Please pay attention to my call for help! Listen to the prayer of an honest man!
2 May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.
Vindicate me before you—for you see what is right.
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.
You have observed my thoughts, you have visited me at night, you have examined me—and you have found nothing wrong. I promised myself I wouldn't say anything I shouldn't.
4 As for the deeds of men— by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
With regard to the actions of others: I have done what you told me and I have avoided what violent people do.
5 My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.
6 I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.
God, I call out to you because I know you will answer; please listen carefully to what I have to say.
7 Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.
Show me how wonderful your trustworthy love really is, Savior of those who come to you for protection against their enemies!
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
Keep me safe as someone you love; hide me underneath your wings.
9 from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Protect me from the attacks of the wicked who want to destroy me, from my enemies who surround me, intent on killing me.
10 They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.
They have no compassion, and all they have to say is pure arrogance.
11 They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,
They hunt me down and surround me, looking for the chance to knock me down in the dust.
12 like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.
13 Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,
Lord, stand up and confront them! Force them to back down! By your sword rescue me from the wicked!
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.
Lord, by your power, save me from people whose only thought is for this world. May they be filled with what you have in store for them, their children too, with left-overs for their grandchildren!
15 As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
As for me, I shall see your face in all its goodness. When I awake, I will be so pleased to see you face to face.
