17 1 Here he complaineth to God of the cruel pride and arrogance of Saul, and the rest of his enemies, who thus raged without any cause given on his part. 6 Therefore he desireth God to revenge his innocence and deliver him.

The prayer of David.

Hear [a]the right, O Lord, consider my cry: hearken unto my prayer of lips unfeigned.

Let my [b]sentence come forth from thy presence, and let thine eyes behold equity.

Thou hast [c]proved and visited mine heart in the night: thou hast tried me, and foundest nothing: for I was purposed that my [d]mouth should not offend.

Concerning the works of men, by the [e]words of thy lips I kept me from the paths of the cruel man.

Stay my steps in thy paths, that my feet do not slide.

I have called upon thee: [f]surely thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words.

Show thy marvelous mercies: thou that art the Savior of them that trust in thee, from such as [g]resist thy right hand.

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

From the wicked that oppress me, from mine enemies, which compass me round about for [h]my soul.

10 They are enclosed in their own [i]fat, and they have spoken proudly with their mouth.

11 They have compassed us now in our steps: they have set their eyes to bring down to the ground:

12 Like as a lion that is greedy of prey, and as it were a Lion’s whelp lurking in secret places.

13 Up Lord, [j]disappoint him: cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked [k]with thy sword,

14 From men by thine [l]hand, O Lord, from men [m]of the world, who have their [n]portion in this life, whose bellies thou fillest with thine hid treasure: their children have enough, and leave the rest of their substance for their children.

15 But I will behold thy face [o]in righteousness, and when I [p]wake, I shall be satisfied with thine image.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 17:1 My righteous cause.
  2. Psalm 17:2 The vengeance that thou shalt show against mine enemies.
  3. Psalm 17:3 When thy Spirit examined my conscience.
  4. Psalm 17:3 I was innocent toward mine enemy both in deed and thought.
  5. Psalm 17:4 Though the wicked provoked me to do evil for evil, yet thy word kept me back.
  6. Psalm 17:6 He was assured that God would not refuse his request.
  7. Psalm 17:7 For all rebel against thee, which trouble thy Church.
  8. Psalm 17:9 For their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death.
  9. Psalm 17:10 They are puffed up with pride, as the stomach that is choked with fat.
  10. Psalm 17:13 Stop his rage.
  11. Psalm 17:13 Or, which is thy sword.
  12. Psalm 17:14 By thine heavenly power.
  13. Psalm 17:14 Or, whose tyranny hath too long endured.
  14. Psalm 17:14 And feel not the smart that God’s children oft times do.
  15. Psalm 17:15 This is the full felicity, comforting against all assaults, to have the face of God and favorable countenance opened unto us.
  16. Psalm 17:15 And am delivered out of my great troubles.

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