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. Listen, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not [uttered] with deceitful lips.
2 May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.
Let my judgment come forth from your presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.
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 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 avoided 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 to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Direct my steps in your paths, that my steps slip not.
6 I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.
I have cried, for you heard me, O God: incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.
7 Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.
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 in 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 assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
from the face of the ungodly that have afflicted me: mine enemies have compassed about my soul.
10 They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.
They have enclosed [themselves with] their own fat: their mouth has spoken pride.
11 They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,
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 like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion's whelp 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, prevent them, and cast them down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: [draw] your 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.
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 will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
But I shall appear in righteousness before your face: I shall be satisfied when your glory appears.
