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 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 you, your eyes see the truth.

Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

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 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 I gave earnest heed to the words of your lips.

As for the deeds 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.

My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

6 So I call you, O God, with assurance of answer; bend down your ear to me, hear what I say.

I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

7 Show your marvellous love, you who save from enemies those who take refuge at your right hand.

Show your marvellous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me in the shelter of your wings.

Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

9 From wicked people who do me violence, from deadly foes who crowd around me.

from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.

10 They have closed their hearts to pity, the words of their mouths are haughty.

They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

11 Now they dog us at every step, keenly watching, to hurl us to the ground,

They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12 like a lion, longing to tear, like a young lion, lurking in secret.

He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, Lord, face them and fell them. By your sword set me free from the wicked,

Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

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.

from men by your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

15 In my innocence I will see your face, awake I am filled with a vision of you.

As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.