Psalm 17:1-15
(A prayer of David’s.)
17 Hear a just cause, Jehovah, listen to my appeal,give ear to my prayer not made with cheating lips.
2 From before you let judgment issue on my behalf;let your eyes take cognizance of equity.
3 You have tested me, examined me at night,assayed me; you will not find viciousness of mine;My mouth shall not pass over
4 for deeds of man.By the words of your lips I have keptfrom ruffian’s paths.
5 Steady my steps in your roads;let me not lose my footing.
6 I call to you, because you will answer me, God:bend your ear to me, hear my say.
7 Do acts of special friendship,you who by your right hand save from adversaries men who take refuge in you.
8 Guard me like the apple of your eye,screening me in the shadow of your wings,
9 From criminals who have assaulted me,my enemies who greedily surround me.
10 Their heart is tallow, their chest is blubber;they talk with a swagger.
11 They eye us, they surround us now,they fix their eyes on the country.
12 What he is like is a lion eager to make a kill,a two-year-old lion sitting in a covert.
13 Up, Jehovah, meet him face to face;put him down; preserve my life,
14 Your sword preserve it from a ruffian, your hand from men, Jehovah,from men whose part in life is earthly,Whose stomach you fill with your stores; they have all the sons they want,lay down their surplus for their youngsters.
15 As for me, by integrity I shall gaze on your face;at waking I shall look at your form as much as I please.
