Psalms, 17

A prayer of David.

¹ Do hear what is righteous, O Jehovah; do pay attention to my entreating cry; Do give ear to my prayer without lips of deception.

² From before you may my judgment go forth; May your own eyes behold uprightness.

³ You have examined my heart, you have made inspection by night, You have refined me; you will discover [that] I have not schemed. My mouth will not transgress.

⁴ As for the activities of men,^*1 By the word of your lips I myself have watched against the paths of the robber.

⁵ Let my steps take hold^*1 on your tracks, [In which] my footsteps will certainly not be made to totter.

⁶ I myself do call upon you, because you will answer me, O God.^*1 Incline your ear to me. Hear my saying.

⁷ Make your acts of loving-kindnesses^*1 wonderful, O Savior of those seeking refuge From the revolters against your right hand.

⁸ Keep me as the pupil of the eyeball, In the shadow of your wings may you conceal me,

⁹ Because of the wicked who have despoiled me. The enemies against my soul themselves keep closing in upon me.

¹⁰ They have enclosed [themselves] with their own fat; With their mouth they have spoken in haughtiness;

¹¹ As regards our steps, now they have surrounded us; They fix their eyes to incline to the earth.

¹² His likeness is that of a lion that yearns to tear to pieces And that of a young lion sitting in concealed places.

¹³ Do rise up, O Jehovah; do confront him to the face; Make him bow down; do provide escape for my soul from the wicked one with your sword,

¹⁴ From men, [by] your hand, O Jehovah, From men of [this] system of things,^*1 whose share is in [this] life, And whose belly you fill with your concealed treasure, Who are satisfied with sons And who do lay up for their children what they leave over.

¹⁵ As for me, in righteousness I shall behold your face; I will be satisfied when awakening [to see] your form.^*1