Psalms 17

1 Yahweh, listen to me while I plead with you to act justly toward me. Hear me while I call out to you to help me. Pay attention to what I say while I pray because I am speaking [MTY] honestly/truthfully.

A prayer of David. Hearken, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not [uttered] with deceitful lips.

2 You are the one who is able to declare that I (am innocent/have not done anything that was wrong) because you see/know that I am telling the truth.

Let my judgment come forth from thy presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.

3 You know what I think, [even] at night; you have examined what I say and do, and you know that I have determined to never tell any lies.

Thou has proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] by night; thou hast tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: [I am purposed] that my mouth shall not speak [amiss].

4 I have not done like others do; I have always done what is right [IDM], and I have not acted cruelly toward others.

As for the works of men, by the words of thy lips I have guarded [myself from] hard ways.

5 I have always done what you told me to do [IDM], I have (never failed to do/always done) [LIT] those things.

Direct my steps in thy paths, that my steps slip not.

6 O God, I pray to you because you answer me; please listen [MTY] to what I am saying.

I have cried, for thou heardest me, O God: incline thine ear to me, and hearken to my words.

7 Show me that you faithfully love me. By your great power [MTY] rescue those who (run to/trust in) you to protect them from their enemies.

Shew the marvels of thy mercies, thou that savest them that hope in thee.

8 Protect me as people carefully protect their own eyes; protect me like [birds] protect [their babies] under their wings [MET].

Keep me as the apple of the eye from those that resist thy right hand: thou shalt screen me by the covering of thy wings,

9 Do not allow wicked people to attack me; my enemies surround me, wanting to kill me.

from the face of the ungodly that have afflicted me: mine enemies have compassed about my soul.

10 They never pity [IDM] anyone, and they are always boasting.

They have enclosed [themselves with] their own fat: their mouth has spoken pride.

11 They have hunted/searched for me and found me. They surround me, watching for an opportunity to throw me to the ground.

They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes [so as] to bow them down to the ground.

12 They are like lions [SIM] that are ready to tear apart the animals that they capture; they are like young lions that are hiding, waiting to pounce [on their prey].

They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion's whelp dwelling in secret [places].

13 Yahweh, come and (oppose/fight against) my enemies and defeat them! Use your sword to save me from those wicked people!

Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and cast them down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: [draw] thy sword,

14 Yahweh, by your power [MTY] rescue me from those people who are interested [only] in things here in this world. But you provide plenty of food for those whom you love dearly; their children also have many things that their grandchildren will inherit.

because of the enemies of thine hand: O Lord, destroy them from the earth; scatter them in their life, though their belly has been filled with thy hidden [treasures]: they have been satisfied with uncleanness, and have left the remnant [of their possessions] to their babes.

15 Yahweh, because I act righteously, I will [some day] see you [SYN]. When I awake, I will see you face-to-face, and then I will be happy.

But I shall appear in righteousness before thy face: I shall be satisfied when thy glory appears.