Psalm 17

Psalm 17

A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

A prayer of David.

¹Lord, hear a just cause;^af

pay attention to my cry;

listen to my prayer—

from lips free of deceit.^ag

²Let my vindication come from you,

for you see what is right.^ah

³You have tested my heart;^ai

you have examined me at night.

You have tried me and found nothing evil;^aj

I have determined that my mouth will not sin.^F

⁴Concerning what people do:

by the words from your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.^a

⁵My steps are on your paths;

my feet have not slipped.^b

⁶I call on you, God,

because you will answer me;^c

listen closely to me; hear what I say.

⁷Display the wonders of your faithful love,^d

Savior of all who seek refuge^e

from those who rebel against your right hand.^G

⁸Protect me as the pupil of your eye;^f

hide me in the shadow of your wings^g

⁹from^A the wicked who treat me violently,^B

my deadly enemies who surround me.^h

¹⁰They are uncaring;^Ci

their mouths speak arrogantly.^j

¹¹They advance against me;^D now they surround me.^k

They are determined^E

to throw me to the ground.^l

¹²They are^F like a lion eager to tear,

like a young lion lurking in ambush.^m

¹³Rise up, Lord!

Confront him; bring him down.ⁿ

With your sword, save me from the wicked.^o

¹⁴With 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.^p

¹⁵But I will see your face in righteousness;^q

when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence.^Gr