Psalms 17
1 A Prayer. Of David. Let my cause come to your ears, O Lord, give attention to my cry; give ear to my prayer which goes not out from false lips.
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer, which is not out of feigned lips.
2 Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.
Let my judgment come forth from thy presence, let thine eyes regard equity.
3 You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; you have put me to the test and seen no evil purpose in me; I will keep my mouth from sin.
Thou hast proved my heart, thou hast visited me by night; thou hast tried me, thou hast found nothing: my thought goeth not beyond my word.
4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept from the paths of the violent [man].
5 I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.
When thou holdest my goings in thy paths, my footsteps slip not.
6 My cry has gone up to you, for you will give me an answer, O God: let your ear be turned to me, and give attention to my words.
I have called upon thee, for thou answerest me, O God. Incline thine ear unto me, hear my speech.
7 Make clear the wonder of your mercy, O saviour of those who put their faith in your right hand, from those who come out against them.
Shew wondrously thy loving-kindnesses, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].
8 Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.
From the wicked that destroy me, my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10 They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.
They are enclosed in their own fat; with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;
They have now encompassed us in our steps; their eyes have they set, bowing down to the earth.
12 Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.
He is like a lion that is greedy of its prey, and as a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.
Arise, Jehovah, anticipate him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, thy sword;
14 With your hand, O Lord, from men, even men of the world, whose heritage is in this life, and whom you make full with your secret wealth: they are full of children; after their death their offspring take the rest of their goods.
From men [who are] thy hand, O Jehovah, from men of this age: their portion is in [this] life, and their belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]; they have their fill of sons, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their children.
15 As for me, I will see your face in righteousness: when I am awake it will be joy enough for me to see your form.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
