Psalms 17

1 A prayer of David. Hearken, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not [uttered] with deceitful lips.

Hear the right, O Yhwh, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

2 Let my judgment come forth from thy presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

3 Thou has proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] by night; thou hast tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: [I am purposed] that my mouth shall not speak [amiss].

Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4 As for the works of men, by the words of thy lips I have guarded [myself from] hard ways.

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Direct my steps in thy paths, that my steps slip not.

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6 I have cried, for thou heardest me, O God: incline thine ear to me, and hearken to my words.

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Shew the marvels of thy mercies, thou that savest them that hope in thee.

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye from those that resist thy right hand: thou shalt screen me by the covering of thy wings,

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9 from the face of the ungodly that have afflicted me: mine enemies have compassed about my soul.

From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They have enclosed [themselves with] their own fat: their mouth has spoken pride.

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes [so as] to bow them down to the ground.

They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12 They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion's whelp dwelling in secret [places].

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

13 Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and cast them down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: [draw] thy sword,

Arise, O Yhwh, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14 because of the enemies of thine hand: O Lord, destroy them from the earth; scatter them in their life, though their belly has been filled with thy hidden [treasures]: they have been satisfied with uncleanness, and have left the remnant [of their possessions] to their babes.

From men which are thy hand, O Yhwh, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 But I shall appear in righteousness before thy face: I shall be satisfied when thy glory appears.

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.