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, to my innocence; attend to my piercing cry. Give heed to my prayer out of lips unfeigned.

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

Let my vindication come from you, your eyes see the truth.

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.

When you test my heart when you visit at night, and assay me like silver – you can find no evil. I am determined that my mouth should not lie.

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

I gave earnest heed to the words of your lips.

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

My steps have held fast to the paths of your precepts and in your tracks have my feet never stumbled.

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

So I call you, O God, with assurance of answer; bend down your ear to me, hear what I say.

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 love, you who save from enemies those who take refuge at your right hand.

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, hide me in the shelter of your wings.

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

From wicked people who do me violence, from deadly foes who crowd around me.

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

They have closed their hearts to pity, the words of their mouths are haughty.

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

Now they dog us at every step, keenly watching, to hurl us to the ground,

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

like a lion, longing to tear, like a young lion, lurking in secret.

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

Arise, Lord, face them and fell them. By your sword set me free 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.

by your hand, O Lord, from those – whose portion of life is but of this world. But let your treasured ones have food in plenty may their children be full and their children satisfied.

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

In my innocence I will see your face, awake I am filled with a vision of you.