Psalms, 17

1. <A Prayer of David.> Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips.

1. Hear a just cause, O Lord, listen to my complaint. Give heed to my prayer for there is no deceit on my lips.

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

2. Let my defense come forth from you; your eyes see what is right.

3. Thou 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.

3. You have probed my heart, searched me at night, tested me by fire, and you have seen no wickedness in me.

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

4. I have not sinned by my words as others do; I have kept your word and followed your ways.

5. Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.

5. Hold firm my steps upon your path, that my feet may not stumble.

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

6. I call on you, you will answer me, O God; incline your ear and hear my word.

7. Shew 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].

7. For you do wonders for your faithful, you save those fleeing from the enemy as they seek refuge at your right hand.

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

8. Keep me as the apple of your eye; under the shadow of your wings hide me,

9. From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.

9. far from my violent pursuers, from the onslaught of the wicked despoilers.

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

10. Their mouths speak arrogantly; they have shut their hearts to mercy.

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

11. Now they surround me and track me down, their eyes eager to see me overthrown.

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

12. Like lions made fierce by hunger, they want only to kill and tear.

13. Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword:

13. Arise, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them! May your sword deliver me from the wicked.

14. From 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.

14. O Lord, strike them with your hand and give them no share with the living. May their belly be filled with what you have stored for them, and their children have more than enough to leave to their descendants.

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

15. As for me, righteous in your sight, I shall see your face and, awakening, gaze my fill on your likeness.