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The Prayer of an Innocent Person[a]

17 Listen, O Lord, to my plea for justice;
    pay attention to my cry for help!
    Listen to my honest prayer.
You will judge in my favor,
    because you know what is right.

You know my heart.
    You have come to me at night;
    you have examined me completely
    and found no evil desire in me.
I speak no evil,
as others do;
    I have obeyed your command
    and have not followed paths of violence.
I have always walked in your way
    and have never strayed from it.

I pray to you, O God, because you answer me;
    so turn to me and listen to my words.
Reveal your wonderful love and save me;
    at your side I am safe from my enemies.

Protect me as you would your very eyes;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings
    from the attacks of the wicked.

Deadly enemies surround me;
10     they have no pity and speak proudly.
11 They are around me now, wherever I turn,
    watching for a chance to pull me down.
12 They are like lions, waiting for me,
    wanting to tear me to pieces.

13 Come, Lord! Oppose my enemies and defeat them!
Save me from the wicked by your sword;
14     save me from those who in this life have all they want.
Punish them with the sufferings you have stored up for them;
    may there be enough for their children
    and some left over for their children's children!

15 But I will see you, because I have done no wrong;
    and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 17:1 HEBREW TITLE: A prayer by David.

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

Hear me,(A) Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.(B)
Hear(C) my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.(D)
Let my vindication(E) come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.(F)

Though you probe my heart,(G)
    though you examine me at night and test me,(H)
you will find that I have planned no evil;(I)
    my mouth has not transgressed.(J)
Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;(K)
    my feet have not stumbled.(L)

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;(M)
    turn your ear to me(N) and hear my prayer.(O)
Show me the wonders of your great love,(P)
    you who save by your right hand(Q)
    those who take refuge(R) in you from their foes.
Keep me(S) as the apple of your eye;(T)
    hide me(U) in the shadow of your wings(V)
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.(W)

10 They close up their callous hearts,(X)
    and their mouths speak with arrogance.(Y)
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,(Z)
    with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion(AA) hungry for prey,(AB)
    like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up,(AC) Lord, confront them, bring them down;(AD)
    with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
    from those of this world(AE) whose reward is in this life.(AF)
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
    may their children gorge themselves on it,
    and may there be leftovers(AG) for their little ones.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
    when I awake,(AH) I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.(AI)