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

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

17 Listen to what’s right, Lord;
    pay attention to my cry!
Listen closely to my prayer;
    it’s spoken by lips that don’t lie!
My justice comes from you;
    let your eyes see what is right!
You have examined my heart,
    testing me at night.
You’ve looked me over closely,
    but haven’t found anything wrong.
    My mouth doesn’t sin.
But these other people’s deeds?
    I have avoided such violent ways
    by the command from your lips.
My steps are set firmly on your paths;
    my feet haven’t slipped.

I cry out to you because you answer me.
    So tilt your ears toward me now—
    listen to what I’m saying!
Manifest your faithful love in amazing ways
    because you are the one
    who saves those who take refuge in you,
    saving them from their attackers
    by your strong hand.
Watch me with the very pupil of your eye!
    Hide me in the protection of your wings,
        away from the wicked
            who are out to get me,
        away from my deadly enemies
            who are all around me!
10 They have no pity;[a]
    their mouths speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down—
    suddenly, they surround me!
    They make their plans to put me in the dirt.
12 They are like a lion eager to rip its prey;
    they are like a strong young lion lying in wait.

13 Get up, Lord!
    Confront them!
    Bring them down!
Rescue my life from the wicked—
    use your sword!
14 Rescue me from these people—
    use your own hands, Lord!
Rescue me from these people
    whose only possession is their fleeting life.[b]
But fill the stomachs of your cherished ones;
    let their children be filled full
    so that they have leftovers enough for their babies.

15 But me? I will see your face in righteousness;
    when I awake, I will be filled full by seeing your image.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 17:10 Heb uncertain
  2. Psalm 17:14 Heb uncertain