Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

• 17 Listen to what’s right, LORD ;
• pay attention to my cry!
• Listen closely to my prayer;
• it’s spoken by lips that don’t lie!
• ² My justice comes from you;
• let your eyes see what is right!
• ³ You have examined my heart,
• testing me at night.
• You’ve looked me over closely,
• but haven’t found anything wrong.
• My mouth doesn’t sin.
• ⁴ But these other people’s deeds?
• I have avoided such violent ways
• by the command from your lips.
• ⁵ My steps are set firmly on your paths;
• my feet haven’t slipped.

• ⁶ I cry out to you because you answer me.
• So tilt your ears toward me now—
• listen to what I’m saying!
• ⁷ Manifest your faithful love in amazing ways
• because you are the one
• who saves those who take refuge in you,
• saving them from their attackers
• by your strong hand.
• ⁸ Watch me with the very pupil of your eye!
• Hide me in the protection of your wings,
• ⁹ away from the wicked
• who are out to get me,
• away from my deadly enemies
• who are all around me!
• ¹⁰ They have no pity;^e
• their mouths speak arrogantly.
• ¹¹ They track me down—
• suddenly, they surround me!
• They make their plans to put me in the dirt.
• ¹² They are like a lion eager to rip its prey;
• they are like a strong young lion lying in wait.

• ¹³ Get up, LORD !
• Confront them!
• Bring them down!
• Rescue my life from the wicked—
• use your sword!
• ¹⁴ Rescue me from these people—
• use your own hands, LORD !
• Rescue me from these people
• whose only possession is their fleeting life.^f
• But fill the stomachs of your cherished ones;
• let their children be filled full
• so that they have leftovers enough for their babies.

• ¹⁵ But me? I will see your face in righteousness;
• when I awake, I will be filled full by seeing your image.