Psalms 17

1 “A psalm of David.” Hear the righteous cause, O LORD! Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer from lips without deceit!

2 May my sentence come forth from thy presence; May thine eyes behold uprightness!

3 Provest thou my heart, visitest thou me in the night, Triest thou me like gold, thou shalt find nothing!

4 My thoughts do not vary from my lips. As to the deeds of men, Through the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Support my steps in thy paths, That my feet may not slip!

6 I call upon thee, O God! for thou wilt hear me; Incline thine ear to me, and listen to my prayer!

7 Show forth thy loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand Them that seek refuge in thee from their adversaries!

8 Guard me as the apple of the eye; Hide me under the shadow of thy wings

9 From the wicked who assault me, From my deadly enemies who compass me about!

10 They shut up their hard heart; With their mouth they speak haughtily.

11 They encompass us in all our steps; They fix their eyes upon us, that they may cast us on the ground.

12 They are like a lion, eager for his prey; Like a young lion, lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O LORD! disappoint them, cast them down! Deliver me from the wicked by thy sword,

14 From men, by thy hand, O LORD! from men of the world, Whose portion is in life; whom thou loadest with thy treasure; Whose children have enough, and leave their superfluity to their children.

15 But I through righteousness shall see thy face; I shall be satisfied with the revival of thy countenance.