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.

A prayer of David. Hearken, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not [uttered] with deceitful lips.

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

Let my judgment come forth from thy presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.

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 has proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] by night; thou hast tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: [I am purposed] that my mouth shall not speak [amiss].

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 words of thy lips I have guarded [myself from] hard ways.

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

Direct my steps in thy paths, that my steps slip not.

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 cried, for thou heardest me, O God: incline thine ear to me, and hearken to my words.

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.

Shew the marvels of thy mercies, thou that savest them that hope in thee.

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 from those that resist thy right hand: thou shalt screen me by the covering 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 face of the ungodly that have afflicted me: mine enemies have compassed about my soul.

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

They have enclosed [themselves with] their own fat: their mouth has spoken pride.

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

They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes [so as] to bow them down to the ground.

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

They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion's whelp dwelling 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 Lord, prevent them, and cast them down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: [draw] 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.

because of the enemies of thine hand: O Lord, destroy them from the earth; scatter them in their life, though their belly has been filled with thy hidden [treasures]: they have been satisfied with uncleanness, and have left the remnant [of their possessions] 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.

But I shall appear in righteousness before thy face: I shall be satisfied when thy glory appears.