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Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
    Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer,
    for it comes from honest lips.
Declare me innocent,
    for you see those who do right.

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
    You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
    I am determined not to sin in what I say.
I have followed your commands,
    which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
My steps have stayed on your path;
    I have not wavered from following you.

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
    Bend down and listen as I pray.
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
    By your mighty power you rescue
    those who seek refuge from their enemies.
Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.[a]
    Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
    from murderous enemies who surround me.
10 They are without pity.
    Listen to their boasting!
11 They track me down and surround me,
    watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—
    like young lions hiding in ambush.

13 Arise, O Lord!
    Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!
    Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
14 By the power of your hand, O Lord,
    destroy those who look to this world for their reward.
But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.
    May their children have plenty,
    leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
15 Because I am righteous, I will see you.
    When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.

Footnotes

  1. 17:8 Hebrew as the pupil of your eye.

Psalm 17

A Prayer for Protection

A prayer of David.

Lord, hear a just cause;(A)
pay attention to my cry;
listen to my prayer—
from lips free of deceit.(B)
Let my vindication come from you,
for you see what is right.(C)
You have tested my heart;(D)
you have examined me at night.
You have tried me and found nothing evil;(E)
I have determined that my mouth will not sin.[a]
Concerning what people do:
by the words from your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.(F)
My steps are on your paths;
my feet have not slipped.(G)

I call on you, God,
because you will answer me;(H)
listen closely to me; hear what I say.
Display the wonders of your faithful love,(I)
Savior of all who seek refuge(J)
from those who rebel against your right hand.[b]
Protect me as the pupil of your eye;(K)
hide me in the shadow of your wings(L)
from[c] the wicked who treat me violently,[d]
my deadly enemies who surround me.(M)

10 They are uncaring;[e](N)
their mouths speak arrogantly.(O)
11 They advance against me;[f] now they surround me.(P)
They are determined[g]
to throw me to the ground.(Q)
12 They are[h] like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.(R)

13 Rise up, Lord!
Confront him; bring him down.(S)
With your sword, save me from the wicked.(T)
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.(U)

15 But I will see your face in righteousness;(V)
when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence.[i](W)

Footnotes

  1. 17:3 Or evil; my mouth will not sin
  2. 17:7 Or love, you who save with your right hand those seeking refuge from adversaries
  3. 17:9 Lit from the presence of
  4. 17:9 Or who plunder me
  5. 17:10 Lit have closed up their fat
  6. 17:11 Vg; MT reads Our steps
  7. 17:11 Lit They set their eyes
  8. 17:12 Lit He is
  9. 17:15 Lit form