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!
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer, which is not out of feigned lips.
2 Vindicate me before you—for you see what is right.
Let my judgment come forth from thy presence, let thine eyes regard 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 hast proved my heart, thou hast visited me by night; thou hast tried me, thou hast found nothing: my thought goeth not beyond my word.
4 With regard to the actions of others: I have done what you told me and I have avoided what violent people do.
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept from the paths of the violent [man].
5 I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.
When thou holdest my goings in thy paths, my footsteps slip not.
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 answerest me, O God. Incline thine ear unto me, 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!
Shew wondrously thy loving-kindnesses, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].
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 that destroy me, my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
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; their eyes have they set, bowing 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 its prey, and as 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, Jehovah, anticipate him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, 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 [who are] thy hand, O Jehovah, from men of this age: their portion is in [this] life, and their belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]; they have their fill of sons, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their children.
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 will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
