Psalms 17
Chapter 17 of 150
1 Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors. A prayer of David. Hear, Lord, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry; Listen to my prayer from lips without guile.
2 From you let my vindication come; your eyes see what is right.
3 You have tested my heart, searched it in the night. You have tried me by fire, but find no malice in me. My mouth has not transgressed
4 as others often do. As your lips have instructed me, I have kept from the way of the lawless.
5 My steps have kept to your paths; my feet have not faltered.
6 I call upon you; answer me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my speech.
7 Show your wonderful mercy, you who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who despoil me. My ravenous enemies press upon me;
10 they close their hearts, they fill their mouths with proud roaring.
11 Their steps even now encircle me; they watch closely, keeping low to the ground,
12 Like lions eager for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise, O Lord, confront and cast them down; rescue my soul from the wicked.
14 Slay them with your sword; with your hand, Lord, slay them; snatch them from the world in their prime. Their bellies are being filled with your friends; their children are satisfied too, for they share what is left with their young.
15 I am just—let me see your face; when I awake, let me be filled with your presence.