Psalm 17

A Prayer for Protection

A Davidic prayer.

1 Lord, hear a just cause;
pay attention to my cry;
listen to my prayer-
from lips free of deceit.
2 Let my vindication come from You,
[for] You see what is right.
3 You have tested my heart;
You have examined [me] at night.
You have tried me and found nothing [evil];
I have determined that my mouth will not sin.
4 Concerning what people do:
by the word of Your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5 My steps are on Your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on You, God,
because You will answer me;
listen closely to me; hear what I say.
7 Display the wonders of Your faithful love,
Savior of all who seek refuge
from those who rebel against Your right hand.
8 Protect me as the pupil of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings

9 from the wicked who treat me violently,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They have become hardened;
their mouths speak arrogantly.
11 They advance against me; now they surround me.
They are determined
to throw [me] to the ground.

12 They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Rise up, Lord!
Confront him; bring him down.
With Your sword, save me from the wicked.

14 With Your hand, Lord, [save me] from men,
from men of the world
whose portion is in this life:
You fill their bellies with what You have in store;
their sons are satisfied,
and they leave their surplus to their children.

15 But I will see Your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.

Psalm 17

1 Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; Let thine eyes look upon equity.

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

4 As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.

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

7 Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that take refuge in thee From those that rise up against them.

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

9 From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.

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

11 They have now compassed us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword;

14 From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.