Psalms 17

1 A prayer of David. Lord, please hear my cry for justice! Please pay attention to my call for help! Listen to the prayer of an honest man!

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

2 Vindicate me before you—for you see what is right.

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

3 You have observed my thoughts, you have visited me at night, you have examined me—and you have found nothing wrong. I promised myself I wouldn't say anything I shouldn't.

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

4 With regard to the actions of others: I have done what you told me and I have avoided what violent people do.

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

5 I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.

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

6 God, I call out to you because I know you will answer; please listen carefully to what I have to say.

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

7 Show me how wonderful your trustworthy love really is, Savior of those who come to you for protection against their enemies!

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

8 Keep me safe as someone you love; hide me underneath your wings.

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

9 Protect me from the attacks of the wicked who want to destroy me, from my enemies who surround me, intent on killing me.

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

10 They have no compassion, and all they have to say is pure arrogance.

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

11 They hunt me down and surround me, looking for the chance to knock me down in the dust.

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

12 They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.

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

13 Lord, stand up and confront them! Force them to back down! By your sword rescue me from the wicked!

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.

14 Lord, by your power, save me from people whose only thought is for this world. May they be filled with what you have in store for them, their children too, with left-overs for their grandchildren!

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.

15 As for me, I shall see your face in all its goodness. When I awake, I will be so pleased to see you face to face.

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