Psalms 17

1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips.

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

2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

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

3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress.

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 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer.

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

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.

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

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [ and hear] my speech.

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

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].

Show your marvelous 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 under 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 me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.

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

10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

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

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

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

12 Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were 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, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword:

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

14 From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure: ] they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] 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 will 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.