Psalms 17

1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer from lips without deceit.

A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

2 Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence; let Thine eyes behold equity.

Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

3 Thou hast tried my heart, Thou hast visited it in the night; Thou hast tested me, and Thou findest not that I had a thought which should not pass my mouth.

You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

4 As for the doings of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.

As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to Thy paths, my feet have not slipped.

My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

6 As for me, I call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God; incline Thine ear unto me, hear my speech.

I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

7 Make passing great Thy mercies, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand from assailants them that take refuge in Thee.

Show your marvellous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,

Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

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

from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.

10 Their gross heart they have shut tight, with their mouth they speak proudly.

They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

11 At our every step they have now encompassed us; they set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear in pieces, and like a young lion lurking in secret places.

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

13 Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, by Thy sword;

Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

14 From men, by Thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life, and whose belly Thou fillest with Thy treasure; who have children in plenty, and leave their abundance to their babes.

from men by your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

15 As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.

As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.