Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
    Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer,
    for it comes from honest lips.
Declare me innocent,
    for you see those who do right.

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
    You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
    I am determined not to sin in what I say.
I have followed your commands,
    which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
My steps have stayed on your path;
    I have not wavered from following you.

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
    Bend down and listen as I pray.
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
    By your mighty power you rescue
    those who seek refuge from their enemies.
Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.[a]
    Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
    from murderous enemies who surround me.
10 They are without pity.
    Listen to their boasting!
11 They track me down and surround me,
    watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—
    like young lions hiding in ambush.

13 Arise, O Lord!
    Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!
    Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
14 By the power of your hand, O Lord,
    destroy those who look to this world for their reward.
But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.
    May their children have plenty,
    leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
15 Because I am righteous, I will see you.
    When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.

Footnotes

  1. 17:8 Hebrew as the pupil of your eye.

A Davidic Prayer.

A Cry for Justice

17 Lord, hear my just plea!
    Pay attention to my cry!
Listen to my prayer,
    since it does not come from lying lips.
Justice for me will come from your presence;
    your eyes see what is right.

When you probe my heart,
    and examine me at night;
when you refine me,
    you will find nothing wrong,[a]
        for I have determined that I will not transgress with my mouth.
As for the ways of mankind,
    I have, according to the words of your lips,
        avoided the ways of the violent.
Because my steps have held fast to your paths,
    my footsteps have not faltered.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, God.
    Listen closely to me
        and hear my prayer.
Show forth your gracious love,
    save those who take refuge in you
        from those who rebel against your sovereign power.[b]

Protect me as the most precious part of the eye;[c]
    hide me under the shadow of your wings
from the wicked[d] who have afflicted me,
    from my enemies who have surrounded me.
10 They are imprisoned by their own prosperity,[e]
    they have boasted proudly with their mouth.
11 Now they have encircled our paths[f]
    and are determined[g] to cast us down to the ground.
12 Like a lion they desire to rip us to pieces,
    like a young lion waiting in ambush.

13 Arise, Lord,
    confront them,
        bring them to their knees!
Deliver me from the wicked by your sword—
14 from men, Lord, by your hand—
from men who belong to this world,
    whose reward is only[h] in this[i] life.

But as for your treasured ones,
    may their stomachs be full,
may their children have an abundance,
    and may they leave wealth to their offspring.

15 But as for me, justified, I will behold your face;
    when I awake, your presence[j] will satisfy me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 17:3 The Heb. lacks wrong
  2. Psalm 17:7 Lit. against your right hand
  3. Psalm 17:8 Lit. as the pupil of the daughter of the eye
  4. Psalm 17:9 Lit. face of the wicked
  5. Psalm 17:10 Lit. fat
  6. Psalm 17:11 So MT; DSS 11QPsc LXX read have expelled me
  7. Psalm 17:11 Lit. and have set their eyes
  8. Psalm 17:14 The Heb. lacks only
  9. Psalm 17:14 So MT; DSS 11QPsc LXX read their
  10. Psalm 17:15 Lit. form, likeness