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 Jehovah, righteousness, attend my cry, Give ear [to] my prayer, without lips of deceit.

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

From before thee my judgment doth go out; Thine eyes do see uprightly.

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 inspected by night, Thou hast tried me, Thou findest nothing; My thoughts pass not over 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.

As to doings of man, Through a word of Thy lips I have observed The paths of a destroyer;

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

To uphold my goings in Thy paths, My steps have not slidden.

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 — I called Thee, for Thou dost answer me, O God, incline Thine ear to 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.

Separate wonderfully Thy kindness, O Saviour of the confiding, By Thy right hand, from withstanders.

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

Keep me as the apple, the daughter of the eye; In shadow of Thy wings thou dost hide me.

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 wicked who spoiled me. Mine enemies in soul go round against me.

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

Their fat they have closed up, Their mouths have spoken with pride:

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

'Our steps now have compassed [him];' Their eyes they set to turn aside in the land.

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

His likeness as a lion desirous to tear, As a young lion 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 Jehovah, go before his face, Cause him to bend. Deliver my soul from the wicked, 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, Thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, their portion [is] in life, And [with] Thy hidden things Thou fillest their belly, They are satisfied [with] sons; And have left their abundance to their sucklings.

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.

I — in righteousness, I see Thy face; I am satisfied, in awaking, [with] Thy form!