< Psalms 17 >

1 A prayer of David. Listen, O Lord, to my innocence; attend to my piercing cry. Give heed to my prayer out of lips unfeigned.
A Prayer. Of David. Let my cause come to your ears, O Lord, give attention to my cry; give ear to my prayer which goes not out from false lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you, your eyes see the truth.
Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.
3 When you test my heart when you visit at night, and assay me like silver – you can find no evil. I am determined that my mouth should not lie.
You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; you have put me to the test and seen no evil purpose in me; I will keep my mouth from sin.
4 I gave earnest heed to the words of your lips.
As for the works 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 the paths of your precepts and in your tracks have my feet never stumbled.
I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.
6 So I call you, O God, with assurance of answer; bend down your ear to me, hear what I say.
My cry has gone up to you, for you will give me an answer, O God: let your ear be turned to me, and give attention to my words.
7 Show your marvelous love, you who save from enemies those who take refuge at your right hand.
Make clear the wonder of your mercy, O saviour of those who put their faith in your right hand, from those who come out against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me in the shelter of your wings.
Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,
9 From wicked people who do me violence, from deadly foes who crowd around me.
From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.
10 They have closed their hearts to pity, the words of their mouths are haughty.
They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.
11 Now they dog us at every step, keenly watching, to hurl us to the ground,
They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;
12 like a lion, longing to tear, like a young lion, lurking in secret.
Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.
13 Arise, Lord, face them and fell them. By your sword set me free from the wicked,
Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.
14 by your hand, O Lord, from those – whose portion of life is but of this world. But let your treasured ones have food in plenty may their children be full and their children satisfied.
With your hand, O Lord, from men, even men of the world, whose heritage is in this life, and whom you make full with your secret wealth: they are full of children; after their death their offspring take the rest of their goods.
15 In my innocence I will see your face, awake I am filled with a vision of you.
As for me, I will see your face in righteousness: when I am awake it will be joy enough for me to see your form.

< Psalms 17 >