Psalms 17

₁Listen, O LORD, to my plea for justice;

pay attention to my cry for help!

Listen to my honest prayer.

₂You will judge in my favour,

because you know what is right.

₃You know my heart.

You have come to me at night;

you have examined me completely

and found no evil desire in me.

₄I speak no evil as others do;

I have obeyed your command

and have not followed paths of violence.

₅I have always walked in your way

and have never strayed from it.

₆I pray to you, O God, because you answer me;

so turn to me and listen to my words.

₇Reveal your wonderful love and save me;

at your side I am safe from my enemies.

₈Protect me as you would your very eyes;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

₉from the attacks of the wicked.

Deadly enemies surround me;

₁₀they have no pity and speak proudly.

₁₁They are round me now, wherever I turn,

watching for a chance to pull me down.

₁₂They are like lions, waiting for me,

wanting to tear me to pieces.

₁₃Come, LORD! Oppose my enemies and defeat them!

Save me from the wicked by your sword;

₁₄save me from those who in this life have all they want.

Punish them with the sufferings you have stored up for them;

may there be enough for their children

and some left over for their children's children!

₁₅But I will see you, because I have done no wrong;

and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.