Psalm 4

New International Version

Psalm 4^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

¹Answer me^(A) when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;^(B)
have mercy^(C) on me and hear my prayer.^(D)

²How long will you people turn my glory^(E) into shame?^(F)
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^[b]?^[c]^(G)
³Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant^(H) for himself;
the Lord hears^(I) when I call to him.

⁴Tremble and^[d] do not sin;^(J)
    when you are on your beds,^(K)
    search your hearts and be silent.
⁵Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.^(L)

⁶Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.^(M)
⁷Fill my heart^(N) with joy^(O)
when their grain and new wine^(P) abound.

⁸In peace^(Q) I will lie down and sleep,^(R)
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.^(S)

Footnotes

Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)

Psalm 17

New International Version

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

¹Hear me,^(A) Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.^(B)
Hear^(C) my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.^(D)
²Let my vindication^(E) come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.^(F)

³Though 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)
⁴Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
⁵My steps have held to your paths;^(K)
    my feet have not stumbled.^(L)

⁶I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;^(M)
    turn your ear to me^(N) and hear my prayer.^(O)
⁷Show 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.
⁸Keep me^(S) as the apple of your eye;^(T)
    hide me^(U) in the shadow of your wings^(V)
⁹from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.^(W)

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

¹³Rise up,^(AC) Lord, confront them, bring them down;^(AD)
    with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
¹⁴By 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.