Psalms 17
1 A prayer of David. Lord, please hear my cry for justice! Please pay attention to my call for help! Listen to the prayer of an honest man!
Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend to my cry. Give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips.
2 Vindicate me before you—for you see what is right.
Let my justice come forth from thy presence. Let thine eyes look upon equity.
3 You have observed my thoughts, you have visited me at night, you have examined me—and you have found nothing wrong. I promised myself I wouldn't say anything I shouldn't.
Thou have proved my heart. Thou have visited me in the night. Thou have tried me, and find nothing. I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 With regard to the actions of others: I have done what you told me and I have avoided what violent people do.
As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept from the ways of a violent man.
5 I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.
My steps have held fast to thy paths. My feet have not slipped.
6 God, I call out to you because I know you will answer; please listen carefully to what I have to say.
I have called upon thee, for thou will answer me, O God. Incline thine ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 Show me how wonderful your trustworthy love really is, Savior of those who come to you for protection against their enemies!
Show thy marvelous loving kindness, O thou who saves by thy right hand those who take refuge from those who rise up.
8 Keep me safe as someone you love; hide me underneath your wings.
Keep me as the apple of the eye. Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 Protect me from the attacks of the wicked who want to destroy me, from my enemies who surround me, intent on killing me.
from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who encompass me around.
10 They have no compassion, and all they have to say is pure arrogance.
They are enclosed in their own fat. With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They hunt me down and surround me, looking for the chance to knock me down in the dust.
They have now encompassed us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast down to the earth.
12 They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.
He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Lord, stand up and confront them! Force them to back down! By your sword rescue me from the wicked!
Arise, O Jehovah, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword,
14 Lord, by your power, save me from people whose only thought is for this world. May they be filled with what you have in store for them, their children too, with left-overs for their grandchildren!
from men by thy hand, O Jehovah, from men of the world whose portion is in this life, and whose belly thou fill with thy treasure. They are satisfied with sons, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I shall see your face in all its goodness. When I awake, I will be so pleased to see you face to face.
As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy form.
