Psalms 17:1-12 ▼

1 A Prayer of David. Hear, O YHWH, a just cause; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer without lips of deceit.

2 From before Your face, let my judgment come forth; may Your eyes see uprightness.

3 You have tested my heart; You have inspected in the night. You have refined me without Your finding, for I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4 As for the works of men, by the word of Your lips I have kept myself from the ways of a violent one.

5 To uphold my steps on Your paths, my footsteps are not shaken.

6 I call on You, for You will answer me, O God! Incline Your ear to me; hear my word.

7 Set apart Your loving devotion, You who save those taking refuge from the assailants—with Your right hand.

8 May you guard me as the pupil, the daughter of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings,

9 from wicked ones who would ruin me, my enemies in soul go around against me.

10 Their fat they have closed up; their mouths they speak with pride.

11 In our steps now they have surrounded us; they have set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

12 His likeness is as a lion longing to tear, and like a young lion lurking in hidden places.