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 by David.] Hear, LORD, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.

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

Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

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 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.

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 word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They have tracked me down; suddenly they surround me. They watch closely, crouching down to the ground.

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

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

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

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

from men with your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure. They are satisfied with children, and they leave their wealth to their little ones.

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 righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.