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 the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, that goeth not out of deceitful lips.

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

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thy eyes behold the things that are equal.

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 visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt 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.

Concerning the works of men, by 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.

Uphold my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps 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 called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thy 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 marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them who put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

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 that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who surround me.

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

They are inclosed 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 surrounded us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

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

Like as 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 LORD, disappoint 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 men who are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, who have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, 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 will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.