Psalms 17

1 A Prayer of David. Hear, O Yahweh, the right, Attend to my loud cry, Give ear unto my prayer, on lips that would not deceive:

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 From before thee, let my sentence come forth, Thine eyes, behold with equity.

Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.

3 Thou hast tested my heart, hast made inspection by night, hast refined me until thou couldst find nothing, Had I devised evil, my mouth should not have transgressed:

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 As for the workings of men, By the word of thy lips, have, I, taken heed of the paths of the violent one.

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

5 Thou hast held fast my goings on to thy ways, My footsteps have not been shaken:

I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.

6 I, have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O GOD, —Incline thine ear unto me, Hear thou my speech:

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 Let thy lovingkindness be distinguished, thou Saviour of such as seek refuge from them who lift themselves up against thy 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 Guard me, as the pupil of the eye, —Under the shadow of thy wings, wilt thou hide me:

Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,

9 From the face of lawless ones who have treated me with violence, the foes of my soul, who come round against me:

From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.

10 Their own fat [heart], have they shut up, —With their mouth, have they spoken proudly.

They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.

11 As for our own goings, now, have they surrounded us, —Their eyes, they fix, bending to the earth:

They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;

12 His likeness, is as a lion, that longeth to rend, and as a young lion, lurking in secret places.

Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.

13 Rise, Yahweh! Confront his face, Bring him down, Deliver my soul from the lawless one [who is] thy sword:

Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.

14 From men [who are] thy hand, O Yahweh, From the men of this age, whose portion, is among the living, and, with thy treasure, thou fillest their bosom, —They must be satisfied with sons, And must leave their abundance to their children: —

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 I, in righteousness, shall behold thy face, Shall be satisfied when awakened by a vision of thee.

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.