Psalm 17

¹ HEAR the right, O Lord, consider my complaint * and hearken unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

² Let my sentence come forth from thy presence * and let thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal.

³ Thou hast proved and visited mine heart in the night-season; thou hast tried me, and shalt find no wickedness in me; for I am utterly purposed that my mouth shall not offend.

⁴ Because of men's works, that are done against the words of thy lips * I have kept me from the ways of the destroyer.

⁵ O hold thou up my goings in thy paths * that my footsteps slip not.

⁶ I have called upon thee, O God, for thou shalt hear me * incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words.

⁷ Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, thou that art the Saviour of them which put their trust in thee * from such as resist thy right hand.

⁸ Keep me as the apple of an eye * hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

⁹ From the ungodly that trouble me * mine enemies compass me round about to take away my soul.

¹⁰ They are inclosed in their own fat * and their mouth speaketh proud things.

¹¹ They lie waiting in our way on every side * turning their eyes down to the ground.

¹² Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey * and as it were a lion's whelp, lurking in secret places.

¹³ Up, Lord, disappoint him, and cast him down * deliver my soul from the ungodly, which is a sword of thine;

¹⁴ From the men of thy hand, O Lord, from the men, I say, and from the evil world * which have their portion in this life, whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid treasure.

¹⁵ They have children at their desire * and leave the rest of their substance for their babes.

¹⁶ But as for me, I will behold thy presence in righteousness * and when I awake up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.