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Psalm 17

A Prayer of David.

Hear a just cause, O Lord,
    attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer
    that is not spoken from deceitful lips.
May my sentence go out from Your presence;
    may Your eyes see rightly.

You have examined my heart; You have visited me in the night;
    You have tried me and found nothing;
    I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
Concerning the works of men,
    by the word of Your lips
I have avoided
    the paths of the violent,
placing my steps in Your paths,
    that my footsteps do not slip.

I called on You, for You will answer me, O God;
    incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
Show marvelously Your lovingkindness,
    O Deliverer of those who seek refuge
    by Your right hand from those who arise in opposition.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
    hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
from the wicked who bring ruin to me,
    from my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hard hearts;
    with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now encircled us in our steps;
    they have set their eyes to bend down to the earth;
12 it is like a lion that is anxious to rip its prey,
    and as a young lion lurking in secrecy.

13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, cast him down!
    Deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword,
14 from men by Your hand, O Lord,
    from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their belly with Your treasure;
    they are satisfied with children,
    and they leave their abundance to their infants.

15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
    I will be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness.

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)