Psalm 17

A Prayer of David.

¹Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

²From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!

³You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

⁴With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.

⁵My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

⁶I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.

⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

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

⁹from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

¹⁰ They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

¹¹They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

¹²He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.

¹³Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

¹⁴from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.

¹⁵As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

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