Psalms 17

1 Yahweh, listen to me while I plead with you to act justly toward me. Hear me while I call out to you to help me. Pay attention to what I say while I pray because I am speaking [MTY] honestly/truthfully.

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 You are the one who is able to declare that I (am innocent/have not done anything that was wrong) because you see/know that I am telling the truth.

May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.

3 You know what I think, [even] at night; you have examined what I say and do, and you know that I have determined to never tell any lies.

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 I have not done like others do; I have always done what is right [IDM], and I have not acted cruelly toward others.

As for the deeds of men— by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5 I have always done what you told me to do [IDM], I have (never failed to do/always done) [LIT] those things.

My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.

6 O God, I pray to you because you answer me; please listen [MTY] to what I am saying.

I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.

7 Show me that you faithfully love me. By your great power [MTY] rescue those who (run to/trust in) you to protect them 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 Protect me as people carefully protect their own eyes; protect me like [birds] protect [their babies] under their wings [MET].

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings

9 Do not allow wicked people to attack me; my enemies surround me, wanting to kill me.

from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10 They never pity [IDM] anyone, and they are always boasting.

They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.

11 They have hunted/searched for me and found me. They surround me, watching for an opportunity to throw me to the ground.

They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,

12 They are like lions [SIM] that are ready to tear apart the animals that they capture; they are like young lions that are hiding, waiting to pounce [on their prey].

like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Yahweh, come and (oppose/fight against) my enemies and defeat them! Use your sword to save me from those wicked people!

Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,

14 Yahweh, by your power [MTY] rescue me from those people who are interested [only] in things here in this world. But you provide plenty of food for those whom you love dearly; their children also have many things that their grandchildren will inherit.

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 Yahweh, because I act righteously, I will [some day] see you [SYN]. When I awake, I will see you face-to-face, and then I will be happy.

As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.