Psalms 17
1 A Prayer of David. Lord, listen to my justice, attend to my supplication. Pay attention to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
A prayer of David. Listen to my plea for justice, Yahweh; pay attention to my call for help! Give ear to my prayer from lips without deceit.
2 Let my judgment proceed from your presence. Let your eyes behold fairness.
Let my vindication come from your presence; let your eyes see what is right!
3 You have tested my heart and visited it by night. You have examined me by fire, and iniquity has not been found in me.
If you test my heart, if you come to me in the night, you will purify me and will not find any evil plans; my mouth will not transgress.
4 Therefore, may my mouth not speak the works of men. I have kept to difficult ways because of the words of your lips.
As for the deeds of mankind, it is at the word of your lips that I have kept myself from the ways of the lawless.
5 Perfect my steps in your paths, so that my footsteps may not be disturbed.
My steps have held firmly to your tracks; my feet have not slipped.
6 I have cried out because you, O God, have listened to me. Incline your ear to me and heed my words.
I call to you, for you answer me, God; turn your ear to me and listen when I speak.
7 Make your mercies wonderful, for you save those who hope in you.
Show your covenant faithfulness in a wonderful way, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their enemies!
8 From those who resist your right hand, preserve me like the pupil of your eye. Protect me under the shadow of your wings,
Protect me like the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings
9 from the face of the impious who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul.
from the presence of the wicked ones who assault me, my enemies who surround me.
10 They have concealed their fatness; their mouth has been speaking arrogantly.
They have no mercy on anyone; their mouths speak with pride.
11 They have cast me out, and now they have surrounded me. They have cast their eyes down to the earth.
They have surrounded my steps. They set their eyes to strike me to the ground.
12 They have taken me, like a lion ready for the prey, and like a young lion dwelling in hiding.
They are like a lion eager for a victim, like a young lion crouching in hidden places.
13 Rise up, O Lord, arrive before him and displace him. Deliver my soul from the impious one: your spear from the enemies of your hand.
Arise, Yahweh! Attack them! Throw them down on their faces! Rescue my life from the wicked by your sword!
14 Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life. Their gut has been filled from your hidden stores. They have been filled with sons, and they have bequeathed to their little ones the remainder.
Rescue me from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of this world whose prosperity is in this life alone! You will fill the bellies of your treasured ones with riches; they will have many children and will leave their wealth to their children.
15 But as for me, I will appear before your sight in justice. I will be satisfied when your glory appears.
As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied, when I awake, with a sight of you.
