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 LORD, 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 sentence come forth from your presence; let your eyes behold the things that are equal.
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.
You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me, and shall find nothing; I am 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.
Concerning the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.
Hold up my goings in your paths, that 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 on you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your 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 your marvelous loving kindness, O you that save by your right hand them which put their trust in you 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 your 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 oppress me, from 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 compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.
Like as 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 LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is your 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 which are your hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly you fill with your hid treasure: they are full of children, 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 will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.
