Psalms 17
1 [A Prayer by David.] Hear, LORD, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit.
2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.
3 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.
You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.
4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
As for the deeds of men— by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.
11 They have tracked me down; suddenly they surround me. They watch closely, crouching down to the ground.
They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,
12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,
14 from men with your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure. They are satisfied with children, and they leave their wealth to their little ones.
from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
