Psalms 17
1 A prayer of David. Listen to my plea for justice, Yahweh; pay attention to my call for help! Give ear to my prayer from lips without deceit.
[A Prayer by David.] Hear, LORD, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from your presence; let your eyes see what is right!
Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
3 If you test my heart, if you come to me in the night, you will purify me and will not find any evil plans; my mouth will not transgress.
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.
4 As for the deeds of mankind, it is at the word of your lips that I have kept myself from the ways of the lawless.
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 firmly to your tracks; my feet have not slipped.
My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
6 I call to you, for you answer me, God; turn your ear to me and listen when I speak.
I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
7 Show your covenant faithfulness in a wonderful way, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their enemies!
Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
8 Protect me like the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings
Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9 from the presence of the wicked ones who assault me, my enemies who surround me.
from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
10 They have no mercy on anyone; their mouths speak with pride.
They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have surrounded my steps. They set their eyes to strike me to the ground.
They have tracked me down; suddenly they surround me. They watch closely, crouching down to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager for a victim, like a young lion crouching in hidden places.
He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, Yahweh! Attack them! Throw them down on their faces! Rescue my life from the wicked by your sword!
Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
14 Rescue me from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of this world whose prosperity is in this life alone! You will fill the bellies of your treasured ones with riches; they will have many children and will leave their wealth to their children.
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.
15 As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied, when I awake, with a sight of you.
As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
