Psalms 17

1 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.

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.

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

Let my vindication come from your presence; let your eyes see what is right!

3 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.

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.

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

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.

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

My steps have held firmly to your tracks; my feet have not slipped.

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

I call to you, for you answer me, God; turn your ear to me and listen when I speak.

7 Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.

Show your covenant faithfulness in a wonderful way, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their enemies!

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

Protect me like the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings

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

from the presence of the wicked ones who assault me, my enemies who surround me.

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

They have no mercy on anyone; their mouths speak with pride.

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

They have surrounded my steps. They set their eyes to strike me to the ground.

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

They are like a lion eager for a victim, like a young lion crouching in hidden places.

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

Arise, Yahweh! Attack them! Throw them down on their faces! Rescue my life from the wicked by your sword!

14 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.

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.

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

As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied, when I awake, with a sight of you.