PSALM 17
1A David prayer.
Hear, O LORD, a just thing.
Listen well to my song.
Hearken to my guileless prayer.
2From before You my judgment will come,
Your eyes behold rightness.
3You have probed my heart, come upon me by night,
You have tried me, and found no wrong in me.
I barred my mouth to let nothing pass.
4As for human acts—by the word of Your lips!
I have kept from the tracks of the brute.
5Set firm my steps on Your pathways,
so my feet will not stumble.
6I called You, for You will answer me, God.
Incline Your ear, O hear my utterance.
7Make Your mercies abound, O rescuer of those who shelter
from foes at Your right hand.
8Guard me like the apple of the eye,
in the shadow of Your wings conceal me
9from the wicked who have despoiled me, my deadly enemies drawn round me.
10Their fat has covered their heart.
With their dewlaps they speak haughty words.
11My steps now they hem in,
their eyes they cast over the land.
12He is like a lion longing for prey,
like the king of beasts lying in wait.
13Rise, LORD, head him off, bring him down,
save my life from the wicked with Your sword,
14from men, by Your hand, from men,
from those fleeting of portion in life.
And Your protected ones—fill their bellies,
let their sons be sated,
and let them leave what is left for their young.
15As for me, in justice I behold Your face,