Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

1 Hear me,d Lord, my plea is just;

listen to my cry.e

Hearf my prayer—

it does not rise from deceitful lips.g

2 Let my vindicationh come from you;

may your eyes see what is right.i

3 Though you probe my heart,j

though you examine me at night and test me,k

you will find that I have planned no evil;l

my mouth has not transgressed.m

4 Though people tried to bribe me,

I have kept myself from the ways of the violent

through what your lips have commanded.

5 My steps have held to your paths;n

my feet have not stumbled.o

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;p

turn your ear to meq and hear my prayer.r

7 Show me the wonders of your great love,s

you who save by your right handt

those who take refugeu in you from their foes.

8 Keep mev as the apple of your eye;w

hide mex in the shadow of your wingsy

9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,

from my mortal enemies who surround me.z

10 They close up their callous hearts,a

and their mouths speak with arrogance.b

11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,c

with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12 They are like a liond hungry for prey,e

like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up,f Lord, confront them, bring them down;g

with your sword rescue me from the wicked.

14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,

from those of this worldh whose reward is in this life.i

May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;

may their children gorge themselves on it,

and may there be leftoversj for their little ones.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;

when I awake,k I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.l