Psalm 17

A Prayer for Protection

A prayer of David.

¹Lord, hear a just cause; ^a

pay attention to my cry;

listen to my prayer —

from lips free of deceit. ^b

²Let my vindication come from you,

for you see what is right. ^c

³You 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. ^f

⁴Concerning what people do:

by the words from your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent. ^g

⁵My steps are on your paths;

my feet have not slipped. ^h

⁶I call on you, God,

because you will answer me; ⁱ

listen closely to me; hear what I say.

⁷Display the wonders of your faithful love, ^j

Savior of all who seek refuge ^k

from those who rebel against your right hand. ^l

⁸Protect me as the pupil of your eye; ^m

hide me in the shadow of your wings ⁿ

⁹from ^o the wicked who treat me violently, ^p

my deadly enemies who surround me. ^q

¹⁰They are uncaring; ^r,^s

their mouths speak arrogantly. ^t

¹¹They advance against me; ^u now they surround me. ^v

They are determined ^w

to throw me to the ground. ^x

¹²They are ^y like a lion eager to tear,

like a young lion lurking in ambush. ^z

¹³Rise up, Lord!

Confront him; bring him down. ^aa

With your sword, save me from the wicked. ^ab

¹⁴With 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. ^ac

¹⁵But I will see your face in righteousness; ^ad

when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence. ^ae,^af