PSALM 16

A Miktam of David.

1 Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge.

2 I say to the Lord, “Thou art my Lord;

I have no good apart from thee.”g

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the noble,

in whom is all my delight.

4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows* ;*

their libations of blood I will not pour out

or take their names upon my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

thou holdest my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I keep the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

my body also dwells secure.

10 For thou dost not give me up to Sheol,

or let thy godly one see the Pit.

11 Thou dost show me the path of life;

in thy presence there is fulness of joy,

in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

PSALM 17

A Prayer of David.

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

2 From thee let my vindication come!

Let thy eyes see the right!

3 If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night,

if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me;

my mouth does not transgress.

4 With regard to the works of men, by the word of thy lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to thy paths,

my feet have not slipped.

6 I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God;

incline thy ear to me, hear my words.

7 Wondrously show thy steadfast love,

O savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at thy right hand.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye;

hide me in the shadow of thy wings,

9 from the wicked who despoil me,

my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hearts to pity;

with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

11 They track me down; now they surround me;

they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.

12 They are like a lion eager to tear,

as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Arise, O Lord! confront them, overthrow them!

Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword,

14 from men by thy hand, O Lord,

from men whose portion in life is of the world.

May their belly be filled with what thou hast stored up for them;

may their children have more than enough;

may they leave something over to their babes.

15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness;

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding thy form.