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.
Yahweh, listen to me while I plead with you to act justly toward me. Hear me while I call out to you to help me. Pay attention to what I say while I pray because I am speaking [MTY] honestly/truthfully.
2 Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.
You are the one who is able to declare that I (am innocent/have not done anything that was wrong) because you see/know that I am telling the truth.
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.
You know what I think, [even] at night; you have examined what I say and do, and you know that I have determined to never tell any lies.
4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
I have not done like others do; I have always done what is right [IDM], and I have not acted cruelly toward others.
5 I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.
I have always done what you told me to do [IDM], I have (never failed to do/always done) [LIT] those things.
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.
O God, I pray to you because you answer me; please listen [MTY] to what I am saying.
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.
Show me that you faithfully love me. By your great power [MTY] rescue those who (run to/trust in) you to protect them from their enemies.
8 Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,
Protect me as people carefully protect their own eyes; protect me like [birds] protect [their babies] under their wings [MET].
9 From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.
Do not allow wicked people to attack me; my enemies surround me, wanting to kill me.
10 They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.
They never pity [IDM] anyone, and they are always boasting.
11 They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;
They have hunted/searched for me and found me. They surround me, watching for an opportunity to throw me to the ground.
12 Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.
They are like lions [SIM] that are ready to tear apart the animals that they capture; they are like young lions that are hiding, waiting to pounce [on their prey].
13 Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.
Yahweh, come and (oppose/fight against) my enemies and defeat them! Use your sword to save me from those wicked people!
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.
Yahweh, by your power [MTY] rescue me from those people who are interested [only] in things here in this world. But you provide plenty of food for those whom you love dearly; their children also have many things that their grandchildren will inherit.
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.
Yahweh, because I act righteously, I will [some day] see you [SYN]. When I awake, I will see you face-to-face, and then I will be happy.
