Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1Lord, hear me, because I ask for what is right.
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 and test me.
You won’t find anything wrong.
I have planned nothing evil.
My mouth has not said sinful things.
4Though evil people tried to pay me to do wrong,
I have not done what they wanted.
Instead I have done what you commanded.
5My steps have stayed on your paths.
My feet have not slipped.
6My God, I call out to you because you will answer me.
Listen to me. Hear my prayer.
7Show me the wonders of your great love.
By using your great power,
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 want to destroy 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.
May what you have stored up for evil people fill their bellies.
May their children’s stomachs be filled with it.
And may there even be leftovers for their little ones.
15You will show that I am right; I will enjoy your blessing.
When I wake up, I will be satisfied because I will see you.
Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer –
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.
3Though you probe my heart,
though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
my mouth has not transgressed.
4Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
5My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
6I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15As for me, I shall be vindicated and shall see your face;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
