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.” Hear, O Lord, [the cause of] righteousness, attend unto my entreaty, give ear unto my prayer, coming from lips without deceit.

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

Let from thy presence my sentence come forth; let thy eyes behold what is right.

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 hast proved my heart; thou hast thought of me in the night; thou hast refined me—thou couldst find nothing: my purpose doth not pass beyond [the words of] my mouth.

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

Among the deeds of men did I observe, by the word of thy lips, the paths of the dissolute.

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

My steps held firmly to thy tracks, [and] my footsteps did not slip.

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 call on thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: incline thy ear unto me, 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 marvelously thy loving-kindnesses, O thou that savest those who put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them] by thy right hand.

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; conceal 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 that despoil me, my enemies, who, to take my life, compass me about.

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;

On our steps they now encompass us: they direct their eyes to turn aside in the land.

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

Every man is just like a lion that is greedy to tear his prey, and like a young lion lurking in a covert.

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

Arise, O Lord, prevent him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, who is 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 these men—thy hand—O Lord, from the men of this world, whose portion is in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hidden treasure: they have children in plenty, 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, in righteousness shall I behold thy face: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with contemplating thy likeness.