Psalms 17
1 A prayer of David. Listen to my plea for justice, Yahweh; pay attention to my call for help! Give ear to my prayer from lips without deceit.
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer from lips without deceit.
2 Let my vindication come from your presence; let your eyes see what is right!
Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence; let Thine eyes behold equity.
3 If you test my heart, if you come to me in the night, you will purify me and will not find any evil plans; my mouth will not transgress.
Thou hast tried my heart, Thou hast visited it in the night; Thou hast tested me, and Thou findest not that I had a thought which should not pass my mouth.
4 As for the deeds of mankind, it is at the word of your lips that I have kept myself from the ways of the lawless.
As for the doings of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held firmly to your tracks; my feet have not slipped.
My steps have held fast to Thy paths, my feet have not slipped.
6 I call to you, for you answer me, God; turn your ear to me and listen when I speak.
As for me, I call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God; incline Thine ear unto me, hear my speech.
7 Show your covenant faithfulness in a wonderful way, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their enemies!
Make passing great Thy mercies, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand from assailants them that take refuge in Thee.
8 Protect me like the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,
9 from the presence of the wicked ones who assault me, my enemies who surround me.
From the wicked that oppress, my deadly enemies, that compass me about.
10 They have no mercy on anyone; their mouths speak with pride.
Their gross heart they have shut tight, with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have surrounded my steps. They set their eyes to strike me to the ground.
At our every step they have now encompassed us; they set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
12 They are like a lion eager for a victim, like a young lion crouching in hidden places.
He is like a lion that is eager to tear in pieces, and like a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, Yahweh! Attack them! Throw them down on their faces! Rescue my life from the wicked by your sword!
Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, by Thy sword;
14 Rescue me from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of this world whose prosperity is in this life alone! You will fill the bellies of your treasured ones with riches; they will have many children and will leave their wealth to their children.
From men, by Thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life, and whose belly Thou fillest with Thy treasure; who have children in plenty, and leave their abundance to their babes.
15 As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied, when I awake, with a sight of you.
As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.
