Psa 17 | HCSB | STEP | A Davidic prayer . Lord , hear a just cause ; pay attention to my cry ; listen to my prayer

Psalms 17

A Prayer for Protection

1 A Davidic prayer.

Lord, hear a just cause; ^a
pay attention to my cry;
listen to my prayer –
from lips free of deceit. ^b
2 Let my vindication come from You,
for You see what is right. ^c
3 You have tested my heart; ^d
You have examined me at night.
You have tried me and found nothing evil; ^e
I have determined that my mouth will not sin. ^{▼▼Or [evil]; my mouth will not sin}
4 Concerning what people do:
by the word of Your lips ^{▼▼God’s instruction}
I have avoided the ways of the violent. ^h
5 My steps are on Your paths;
my feet have not slipped. ⁱ

6 I call on You, God,
because You will answer me; ^j
listen closely to me; hear what I say.
7 Display the wonders of Your faithful love, ^k
Savior of all who seek refuge ^l
from those who rebel against Your right hand. ^{▼▼Or love, You who save with Your right hand those seeking refuge from adversaries}
8 Protect me as the pupil of Your eye; ⁿ
hide me in the shadow of Your wings ^o
9 from ^{▼▼Lit from the presence of} the wicked who treat me violently, ^{▼▼Or who plunder me}
my deadly enemies who surround me. ^r

10 They have become hardened; ^{▼▼Lit have closed up their fat
,} ^t
their mouths speak arrogantly. ^u
11 They advance against me; ^{▼▼Vg; one Hb ms, LXX read They cast me out; MT reads Our steps} now they surround me. ^w
They are determined ^{▼▼Lit They set their eyes}
to throw me to the ground. ^y
12 They are ^{▼▼Lit He is} like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush. ^aa

13 Rise up, Lord!
Confront him; bring him down. ^ab
With Your sword, save me from the wicked. ^ac
14 With Your hand, Lord, save me from men,
from men of the world
whose portion is in this life:
You fill their bellies with what You have in store;
their sons are satisfied,
and they leave their surplus to their children. ^ad

15 But I will see Your face in righteousness; ^ae
when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence. ^{▼▼Lit form
,} ^ag