1LORD, hear me, because I ask for what is right. Listen to my cry for help. Hear my prayer. It doesn’t come from lips that tell lies.2When you hand down your sentence, may it be in my favour. May your eyes see what is right.3Look deep down into my heart. Study me carefully at night and test me. You won’t find anything wrong. I have planned nothing evil. My mouth has not said sinful things.4Though evil people tried to pay me to do wrong, I have not done what they wanted. Instead I have done what you commanded.5My steps have stayed on your paths. My feet have not slipped.6My God, I call out to you because you will answer me. Listen to me. Hear my prayer.7Show me the wonders of your great love. By using your great power, you save those who go to you for safety from their enemies.8Take good care of me, just as you would take care of your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.9Save me from the sinful people who want to destroy me. Save me from my deadly enemies who are all around me.10They make their hearts hard and stubborn. Their mouths speak with pride.11They have tracked me down. They are all around me. Their eyes watch for a chance to throw me to the ground.12They are like a hungry lion, waiting to attack. They are like a powerful lion, hiding in the bushes.13LORD, rise up. Oppose them and bring them down. With your sword, save me from those evil people.14LORD, by your power save me from people like that. They belong to this world. They get their reward in this life. May what you have stored up for evil people fill their bellies. May their children’s stomachs be filled with it. And may there even be leftovers for their little ones.15You will show that I am right; I will enjoy your blessing. When I wake up, I will be satisfied because I will see you.
Psalm 17
English Standard Version
In the Shadow of Your Wings
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)