Psalms 17

1 A Prayer of David. Lord, listen to my justice, attend to my supplication. Pay attention to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

2 Let my judgment proceed from your presence. Let your eyes behold fairness.

Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

3 You have tested my heart and visited it by night. You have examined me by fire, and iniquity has not been found in me.

You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

4 Therefore, may my mouth not speak the works of men. I have kept to difficult ways because of the words of your lips.

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

5 Perfect my steps in your paths, so that my footsteps may not be disturbed.

My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

6 I have cried out because you, O God, have listened to me. Incline your ear to me and heed my words.

I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

7 Make your mercies wonderful, for you save those who hope in you.

Show your marvellous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

8 From those who resist your right hand, preserve me like the pupil of your eye. Protect me under the shadow of your wings,

Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

9 from the face of the impious who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul.

from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.

10 They have concealed their fatness; their mouth has been speaking arrogantly.

They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have cast me out, and now they have surrounded me. They have cast their eyes down to the earth.

They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12 They have taken me, like a lion ready for the prey, and like a young lion dwelling in hiding.

He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Rise up, O Lord, arrive before him and displace him. Deliver my soul from the impious one: your spear from the enemies of your hand.

Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

14 Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life. Their gut has been filled from your hidden stores. They have been filled with sons, and they have bequeathed to their little ones the remainder.

from men by your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

15 But as for me, I will appear before your sight in justice. I will be satisfied when your glory appears.

As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.