Psalm 14-17

English Standard Version

² The Lord ^(F)looks down from heaven on the children of man,
    to see if there are any who understand,^[a]
    who ^(G)seek after God.

³ They have all turned aside; together they have become ^(H)corrupt;
    there is none who does good,
    not even one.

⁴ Have they no ^(I)knowledge, all the evildoers
    who ^(J)eat up my people as they eat bread
    and ^(K)do not call upon the Lord?

⁵ There they are in great terror,
    for God is with ^(L)the generation of the righteous.
⁶ You would shame the plans of the poor,
    but^[b] the Lord is his ^(M)refuge.

⁷ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When the Lord ^(N)restores the fortunes of his people,
    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

² He who ^(R)walks blamelessly and ^(S)does what is right
    and ^(T)speaks truth in his heart;
³ who ^(U)does not slander with his tongue
    and does no evil to his neighbor,
    nor ^(V)takes up a reproach against his friend;
^4 (W)in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
    but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who ^(X)swears to his own hurt and does not change;
⁵ who ^(Y)does not put out his money at interest
    and ^(Z)does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be ^(AA)moved.

³ As for ^(AE)the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.^[d]

⁴ The sorrows of those who run after^[e] another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or ^(AF)take their names on my lips.

⁵ The Lord is ^(AG)my chosen portion and my ^(AH)cup;
    you hold my ^(AI)lot.
^6 (AJ)The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

⁷ I bless the Lord who ^(AK)gives me counsel;
    in ^(AL)the night also my ^(AM)heart instructs me.^[f]
8 (AN)I have ^(AO)set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my ^(AP)right hand, I shall not be ^(AQ)shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my ^(AR)whole being^[g] rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
¹⁰ For you will not abandon my soul to ^(AS)Sheol,
    ^(AT)or let your ^(AU)holy one see ^(AV)corruption.^[h]

¹¹ You make known to me ^(AW)the path of life;
    in your presence there is ^(AX)fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are ^(AY)pleasures forevermore.

³ You have ^(BC)tried my heart, you have ^(BD)visited me by ^(BE)night,
    you have ^(BF)tested me, and you will find nothing;
    I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
⁴ With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
    I have avoided the ways of the violent.
⁵ My steps have ^(BG)held fast to your paths;
    my feet have not slipped.

⁶ I ^(BH)call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
    ^(BI)incline your ear to me; hear my words.
^7 (BJ)Wondrously show^[i] your steadfast love,
    O Savior of those who seek refuge
    from ^(BK)their adversaries at your right hand.

⁸ Keep me as ^(BL)the apple of your eye;
    hide me in ^(BM)the shadow of your wings,
⁹ from the wicked who do me violence,
    my deadly enemies who ^(BN)surround me.

^10 (BO)They close their hearts to pity;
    with their mouths they ^(BP)speak arrogantly.
¹¹ They have now surrounded our ^(BQ)steps;
    they set their eyes to ^(BR)cast us to the ground.
¹² He is like a lion eager to tear,
    as a young lion ^(BS)lurking in ambush.

¹³ Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
    Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
¹⁴ from men by your hand, O Lord,
    from ^(BT)men of the world whose ^(BU)portion is in this life.^[j]
You fill their womb with treasure;^[k]
    they are satisfied with ^(BV)children,
    and they leave their abundance to their infants.

¹⁵ As for me, I shall ^(BW)behold your face in righteousness;
    when I ^(BX)awake, I shall be ^(BY)satisfied with your likeness.