Psalm 17

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

¹Lord, hear me when I ask you to treat me fairly.

Listen to my cry for help.

Hear my prayer.

It doesn’t come from lips that tell lies.

²When you hand down your sentence, may it be in my favor.

May your eyes see what is right.

³Look deep down into my heart.

Study me carefully at night.

Put me to the test.

You won’t find anything wrong.

I have made up my mind

that my mouth won’t say sinful things.

⁴I don’t do the things other people do.

By obeying your word

I have kept myself from acting

like those who try to hurt others.

⁵My steps have stayed on your paths.

My feet have not slipped.

⁶God, I call out to you because you will answer me.

Listen to me. Hear my prayer.

⁷Show the wonder of your great love.

By using your powerful right hand,

you save those who go to you for safety from their enemies.

⁸Take good care of me, just as you would take care of your own eyes.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

⁹Save me from the sinful people who attack me.

Save me from my deadly enemies who are all around me.

¹⁰They make their hearts hard and stubborn.

Their mouths speak with pride.

¹¹They have tracked me down. They are all around me.

Their eyes watch for a chance to throw me to the ground.

¹²They are like a hungry lion, waiting to attack.

They are like a powerful lion, hiding in the bushes.

¹³Lord, rise up. Oppose them and bring them down.

With your sword, save me from those evil people.

¹⁴Lord, by your power save me from people like that.

They belong to this world. They get their reward in this life.

You satisfy the hunger of those you love.

Their children have plenty.

And those children store up wealth for their children.

¹⁵Because I do what is right, I will enjoy your blessing.

When I wake up, I will be satisfied because I will see you.