< Psalms 17 >

1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence; let your eyes behold the things that are equal. 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. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Hold up my goings in your paths, that my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called on you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your ear to me, and hear my speech. 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. 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings, 9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. 10 They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. 11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing 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. 13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is your sword: 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. 15 As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.

< Psalms 17 >