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 psalm of David.” Hear the righteous cause, O LORD! Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer from lips without deceit!

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

May my sentence come forth from thy presence; May thine eyes behold uprightness!

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.

Provest thou my heart, visitest thou me in the night, Triest thou me like gold, thou shalt find nothing!

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

My thoughts do not vary from my lips. As to the deeds of men, Through the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

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

Support my steps in thy paths, That my feet may 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 upon thee, O God! for thou wilt hear me; Incline thine ear to me, and listen to my prayer!

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 forth thy loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand Them that seek refuge in thee from their adversaries!

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

Guard 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 assault me, From my deadly enemies who compass me about!

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

They shut up their hard heart; With their mouth they speak haughtily.

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

They encompass us in all our steps; They fix their eyes upon us, that they may cast us on the ground.

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

They are like a lion, eager for his prey; Like 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 LORD! disappoint them, cast them down! Deliver me 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 LORD! from men of the world, Whose portion is in life; whom thou loadest with thy treasure; Whose children have enough, and leave their superfluity to their children.

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 through righteousness shall see thy face; I shall be satisfied with the revival of thy countenance.