Psalm 17

A Prayer of David.

1Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.footnote afootnote b

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

3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

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

5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.footnote c

6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.footnote d

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

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

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

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

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

13Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:footnote ifootnote j

14From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.footnote kfootnote l

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

Hear My Righteous Plea

A prayer of David.

1Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;listen to my cry.Give ear to my prayer—it comes from lips free of deceit. 2May my vindication come from Your presence;may Your eyes see what is right.

3You have tried my heart;You have visited me in the night.You have tested me and found no evil;I have resolved not to sin with my mouth. 4As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lipsI have avoided the ways of the violent. 5My steps have held to Your paths;my feet have not slipped.

6I call on You, O God,for You will answer me.Incline Your ear to me;hear my words. 7Show the wonders of Your loving devotion,You who save by Your right handthose who seek refuge from their foes. 8Keep me as the apple offootnote aYour eye;hide me in the shadow of Your wings 9from the wicked who assail me,from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10They have closed their callous hearts;their mouths speak with arrogance. 11They have tracked us down, and now surround us;their eyes are set to cast us to the ground, 12like a lion greedy for prey,like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13Arise, O LORD, confront them!Bring them to their knees;deliver me from the wicked by Your sword, 14from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the worldwhose portion is in this life.May You fill the bellies of Your treasured onesfootnote band satisfy their sons,so they leave their abundance to their children.

15As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness;when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.