17
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.*†
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.‡
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.§
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.**††
10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.‡‡§§
13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:***†††
14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.‡‡‡§§§
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
* 17:1 the right: Heb. justice † 17:1 not…: Heb. without lips of deceit ‡ 17:5 slip…: Heb. be not moved § 17:7 by thy…: or, them which trust in thee from those that rise up against thy right hand ** 17:9 oppress: Heb. waste †† 17:9 my…: Heb. my enemies against the soul ‡‡ 17:12 Like…: Heb. The likeness of him (that is, of every one of them) is as a lion that desireth to ravin §§ 17:12 lurking: Heb. sitting *** 17:13 disappoint…: Heb. prevent his face ††† 17:13 which is: or, by ‡‡‡ 17:14 which are: or, by §§§ 17:14 they…: or, their children are full