Psalm 17

Prayer for Vindication and Protection

17A prayer of David.^a

¹O Yahweh, hear a just cause.

Hear my cry; heed my prayer

I make without deceitful lips.

²Let my vindication come forth from you;

let your eyes see fairness.

³You have tried my heart;

you have examined me by night;

you have tested me; you found nothing.

I have decided that my mouth will not transgress.

⁴As for the works of humankind,

by the word of your lips,

I have kept from the ways of the violent.

⁵I have held my steps in your path

My feet will not slip.

⁶As for me, I have called on you

because you will answer me, O God.

Incline your ear to me.

Hear my words.^b

⁷Show wondrously your acts of loyal love,

O Savior of those who take refuge

at your right hand^c

from those who rise up against them.

⁸Keep me as the apple of your eye.^d

Hide me in the shadow of your wings

⁹from the presence^e of the wicked who destroy me,

those enemies against my life,

they that surround me.

¹⁰They have shut off their calloused^f heart;

with their mouth they speak arrogantly.

¹¹Now they surround us at our every step.

They intend^g

to pin^h me to the ground.

¹²He is likeⁱ a lion; he longs to tear apart,

and like a strong lion crouching in hiding places.

¹³Rise up, O Yahweh, confront him.^j

Make him bow down.

Rescue with your sword my life from the wicked,

¹⁴from men by your hand, O Yahweh, from men of this world.

Their share is in this life,^k and you fill their stomach with your treasure.

They are satisfied with children.

They bequeath their excess to their children.

¹⁵By contrast, I in righteousness shall see your face.

Upon awakening I will be satisfied seeing your form.