Psalms 17

1 A Prayer by David. Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

A prayer of David. Lord, please hear my cry for justice! Please pay attention to my call for help! Listen to the prayer of an honest man!

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

Vindicate me before you—for you see what is right.

3 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.

You have observed my thoughts, you have visited me at night, you have examined me—and you have found nothing wrong. I promised myself I wouldn't say anything I shouldn't.

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

With regard to the actions of others: I have done what you told me and I have avoided what violent people do.

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

I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.

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

God, I call out to you because I know you will answer; please listen carefully to what I have to say.

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

Show me how wonderful your trustworthy love really is, Savior of those who come to you for protection against their enemies!

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

Keep me safe as someone you love; hide me underneath your wings.

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

Protect me from the attacks of the wicked who want to destroy me, from my enemies who surround me, intent on killing me.

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

They have no compassion, and all they have to say is pure arrogance.

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

They hunt me down and surround me, looking for the chance to knock me down in the dust.

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

They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.

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

Lord, stand up and confront them! Force them to back down! By your sword rescue me from the wicked!

14 from men by your hand, Yahweh, 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.

Lord, by your power, save me from people whose only thought is for this world. May they be filled with what you have in store for them, their children too, with left-overs for their grandchildren!

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

As for me, I shall see your face in all its goodness. When I awake, I will be so pleased to see you face to face.