Psa 16 | CPDV | STEP | A Prayer of David. Lord, listen to my justice, attend to my supplication. Pay attention to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

Psalms 16

Exaudi, Domine, justitiam.

A just man’s prayer in tribulation against the malice of his enemy.

1 A Prayer of David.

Lord, listen to my justice, attend to my supplication.
Pay attention to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my judgment proceed from your presence.

Let your eyes behold fairness.
3 You have tested my heart and visited it by night.
You have examined me by fire,
and iniquity has not been found in me.
4 Therefore, may my mouth not speak the works of men.
I have kept to difficult ways because of the words of your lips.

5 Perfect my steps in your paths,
so that my footsteps may not be disturbed.
6 I have cried out because you,
O God, have listened to me.
Incline your ear to me and heed my words.
7 Make your mercies wonderful, for you save those who hope in you.
8 From those who resist your right hand,
preserve me like the pupil of your eye.

Protect me under the shadow of your wings,
9 from the face of the impious who have afflicted me.
My enemies have surrounded my soul.
10 They have concealed their fatness;
their mouth has been speaking arrogantly. ^{▼▼16:10 Their fat: That is, their bowels of compassion: for they have none for me.(Challoner)}

11 They have cast me out, and now they have surrounded me.
They have cast their eyes down to the earth. ^{▼▼16:11They look down on other people, even the whole world. They put on the mask of false humility, casting their eyes downward, as if humble, while they act with self-exaltation and condescension.(Conte)}
12 They have taken me, like a lion ready for the prey,
and like a young lion dwelling in hiding.

13 Rise up, O Lord, arrive before him and displace him.
Deliver my soul from the impious one:
your spear from the enemies of your hand.
14 Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life. ^{▼▼16:14 Divide them from the few, etc: That is, cut them off from the earth, and the few trifling things thereof; which they are so proud of, or divide them from the few; that is, from thy elect, who are but few; that they may no longer have it in their power to oppress them. It is not meant by way of a curse or imprecation; but, as many other the like passages in the psalms, by way of a prediction, or prophecy of what should come upon them, in punishment of their wickedness.(Challoner)}
Their gut has been filled from your hidden stores. ^{▼▼16:14 Your hidden stores: Your secret treasures, out of which you furnish those earthly goods, which, with a bountiful hand you have distributed both to the good and the bad.(Challoner)}
They have been filled with sons,
and they have bequeathed to their little ones the remainder.
15 But as for me, I will appear before your sight in justice.
I will be satisfied when your glory appears.