Psalm 17:1-18:15

New International Version

³ Though you probe my heart,^(G)
    though you examine me at night and test me,^(H)
you will find that I have planned no evil;^(I)
    my mouth has not transgressed.^(J)
4 Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
⁵ My steps have held to your paths;^(K)
    my feet have not stumbled.^(L)

⁶ I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;^(M)
    turn your ear to me^(N) and hear my prayer.^(O)
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,^(P)
    you who save by your right hand^(Q)
    those who take refuge^(R) in you from their foes.
⁸ Keep me^(S) as the apple of your eye;^(T)
    hide me^(U) in the shadow of your wings^(V)
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.^(W)

¹⁰ They close up their callous hearts,^(X)
    and their mouths speak with arrogance.^(Y)
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,^(Z)
    with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
¹² They are like a lion^(AA) hungry for prey,^(AB)
    like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

¹³ Rise up,^(AC) Lord, confront them, bring them down;^(AD)
    with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
¹⁴ By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
    from those of this world^(AE) whose reward is in this life.^(AF)
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
    may their children gorge themselves on it,
    and may there be leftovers^(AG) for their little ones.

¹⁵ As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
    when I awake,^(AH) I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.^(AI)

² The Lord is my rock,^(AL) my fortress^(AM) and my deliverer;^(AN)
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,^(AO)
    my shield^[b](AP) and the horn^[c] of my salvation,^(AQ) my stronghold.

³ I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,^(AR)
    and I have been saved from my enemies.^(AS)
4 The cords of death^(AT) entangled me;
    the torrents^(AU) of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
    the snares of death^(AV) confronted me.

⁶ In my distress^(AW) I called to the Lord;^(AX)
    I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;^(AY)
    my cry came^(AZ) before him, into his ears.
⁷ The earth trembled^(BA) and quaked,^(BB)
    and the foundations of the mountains shook;^(BC)
    they trembled because he was angry.^(BD)
8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;^(BE)
    consuming fire^(BF) came from his mouth,
    burning coals^(BG) blazed out of it.
⁹ He parted the heavens and came down;^(BH)
    dark clouds^(BI) were under his feet.
¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim^(BJ) and flew;
    he soared^(BK) on the wings of the wind.^(BL)
11 He made darkness his covering,^(BM) his canopy^(BN) around him—
    the dark rain clouds of the sky.
¹² Out of the brightness of his presence^(BO) clouds advanced,
    with hailstones^(BP) and bolts of lightning.^(BQ)
13 The Lord thundered^(BR) from heaven;
    the voice of the Most High resounded.^[d]
14 He shot his arrows^(BS) and scattered the enemy,
    with great bolts of lightning^(BT) he routed them.^(BU)
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
    and the foundations^(BV) of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke,^(BW) Lord,
    at the blast of breath from your nostrils.^(BX)