Psalms 17

A Prayer by David.

1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. ✦

2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. ✦

3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. ✦

4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. ✦

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. ✦

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. ✦

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. ✦

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, ✦

9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. ✦

10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. ✦

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; ✦

12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. ✦

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: ✦

14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. ✦

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. ✦