Psalms 17

1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips.

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.

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

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

3 You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me, and shall find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

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.

4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

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

5 Hold up my goings in your paths, that my footsteps slip not.

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

6 I have called on you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your ear to me, and hear my speech.

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.

7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, O you that save by your right hand them which put their trust in you from those that rise up against them.

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.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings,

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

9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.

10 They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

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

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

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

12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

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

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is your sword:

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

14 From men which are your hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly you fill with your hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

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.

15 As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.

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.