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.

The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.

2 Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.

Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.

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, and visited it by night, thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.

4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

That my mouth may not speak the works of men: for the sake of the words of thy lips, I have kept hard ways.

5 I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.

Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved.

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 cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.

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 forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust in thee.

8 Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,

From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect 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 face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul:

10 They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.

They have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly.

11 They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;

They have cast me forth and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth.

12 Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.

They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a young lion dwelling in secret places.

13 Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.

Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul from the wicked one: 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 the enemies of thy hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life: their belly is filled from thy hidden stores. They are full of children: and they have left to their little ones the rest of their substance.

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.

But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.