1A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! (Ps 61:1; Ps 86:1; Ps 142:1; Ps 142:6; Jer 7:16)2From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! (Ps 26:1)3You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. (Jud 7:4; Job 23:10; Job 31:14; Job 33:15; Ps 16:7; Ps 139:1; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:2; 1Pe 1:7)4With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.5My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. (Job 23:11; Ps 44:18)6I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. (Ps 31:2; Ps 86:6; Ps 116:1)7Wondrously show[1] your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. (Ps 31:21; Ps 44:5; Ps 59:1; Ps 139:21)8Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, (De 32:10; Ru 2:12; Ps 36:7; Ps 57:1; Ps 63:7; Ps 91:4; Zec 2:8; Mt 23:37; Lu 13:34)9from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. (1Sa 23:26)10They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. (1Sa 2:3; Ps 31:18; Ps 119:70)11They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. (Ps 62:4; Ps 89:51)12He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. (Ps 10:8)13Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,14from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life.[2] You fill their womb with treasure;[3] they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants. (Job 21:11; Ps 10:18; Mt 6:2; Mt 6:5; Mt 6:16; Lu 16:8; Lu 16:25; Lu 20:34)15As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. (Job 33:26; Ps 11:7; Ps 16:11; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; 1Jo 3:2)
Psalm 17
New International Version
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 wings9from 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.