Psalm 17

Psalm 17

A Prayer for Protection

A Davidic prayer.

¹Lord, hear a just cause; ^l

pay attention to my cry;

listen to my prayer—

from lips free of deceit. ^m

²Let my vindication come from You,

for You see what is right. ⁿ

³You have tested my heart; ^o

You have examined me at night.

You have tried me and found nothing evil; ^p

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

⁴Concerning what people do:

by the word of Your lips ^r

I have avoided the ways of the violent. ^s

⁵My steps are on Your paths;

my feet have not slipped. ^t

⁶I call on You, God,

because You will answer me; ^u

listen closely to me; hear what I say.

⁷Display the wonders of Your faithful love, ^v

Savior of all who seek refuge ^w

from those who rebel against Your right hand. ^x

⁸Protect me as the pupil of Your eye; ^y

hide me in the shadow of Your wings ^z

⁹from ^athe wicked who treat me violently, ^b

my deadly enemies who surround me. ^c

¹⁰They have become hardened; ^de

their mouths speak arrogantly. ^f

¹¹They advance against me; ^gnow they surround me. ^h

They are determined ⁱ

to throw me to the ground. ^j

¹²They are ^klike a lion eager to tear,

like a young lion lurking in ambush. ^l

¹³Rise up, Lord!

Confront him; bring him down. ^m

With Your sword, save me from the wicked. ⁿ

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. ^o

¹⁵But I will see Your face in righteousness; ^p

when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence. ^qr