Psalms 17

1 A Prayer. Of David. Let my cause come to your ears, O Lord, give attention to my cry; give ear to my prayer which goes not out from false lips.

Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend to my cry. Give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips.

2 Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.

Let my justice come forth from thy presence. Let thine eyes look upon equity.

3 You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; you have put me to the test and seen no evil purpose in me; I will keep my mouth from sin.

Thou have proved my heart. Thou have visited me in the night. Thou have tried me, and find nothing. I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

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

As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept from the ways of a violent man.

5 I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.

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

6 My cry has gone up to you, for you will give me an answer, O God: let your ear be turned to me, and give attention to my words.

I have called upon thee, for thou will answer me, O God. Incline thine ear to me, and hear my speech.

7 Make clear the wonder of your mercy, O saviour of those who put their faith in your right hand, from those who come out against them.

Show thy marvelous loving kindness, O thou who saves by thy right hand those who take refuge from those who rise up.

8 Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,

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

9 From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.

from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who encompass me around.

10 They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.

They are enclosed in their own fat. With their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;

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

12 Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.

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

13 Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.

Arise, O Jehovah, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword,

14 With your hand, O Lord, from men, even men of the world, whose heritage is in this life, and whom you make full with your secret wealth: they are full of children; after their death their offspring take the rest of their goods.

from men by thy hand, O Jehovah, from men of the world whose portion is in this life, and whose belly thou fill with thy treasure. They are satisfied with sons, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I will see your face in righteousness: when I am awake it will be joy enough for me to see your form.

As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy form.