Psalm 17

English Standard Version

In the Shadow of Your Wings

A ^(A)Prayer of David.

17 Hear a just cause, O Lord; ^(B)attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
²From your presence ^(C)let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁵As for me, I shall ^(X)behold your face in righteousness;
when I ^(Y)awake, I shall be ^(Z)satisfied with your likeness.

Footnotes

Psalm 17:7 Or Distinguish me by
Psalm 17:14 Or from men whose portion in life is of the world
Psalm 17:14 Or As for your treasured ones, you fill their womb

Psalm 19

English Standard Version

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 ^(A)The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above^[a] proclaims his handiwork.
²Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴^(B)Their ^(C)voice^[b] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for ^(D)the sun,
⁵    ^(E)which comes out like ^(F)a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷^(G)The law of the Lord is perfect,^[c]
    ^(H)reviving the soul;
^(I)the testimony of the Lord is ^(J)sure,
    ^(K)making wise ^(L)the simple;
⁸^(M)the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is ^(N)pure,
    ^(O)enlightening the eyes;
⁹the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules^[d] of the Lord are ^(P)true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰More to be desired are they than ^(Q)gold,
    even much ^(R)fine gold;
^(S)sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of ^(T)the honeycomb.
¹¹Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    ^(U)in keeping them there is great reward.

¹²^(V)Who can discern his errors?
    ^(W)Declare me innocent from ^(X)hidden faults.
¹³^(Y)Keep back your servant also from ^(Z)presumptuous sins;
    let them not have ^(AA)dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.