Psalm 17

In the Shadow of Your Wings

A Prayer of David.

¹Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

²From your presence let my vindication come!

Let your eyes behold the right!

³You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,

you have tested me, and you will find nothing;

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

⁴With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

⁵My steps have held fast to your paths;

my feet have not slipped.

⁶I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my words.

⁷Wondrously show your steadfast love,

O Savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand.

⁸Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings,

⁹from the wicked who do me violence,

my deadly enemies who surround me.

¹⁰They close their hearts to pity;

with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

¹¹They have now surrounded our steps;

they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

¹²He is like a lion eager to tear,

as a young lion lurking in ambush.

¹³Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

¹⁴from men by your hand, O Lord,

from men of the world whose portion is in this life.

You fill their womb with treasure;

they are satisfied with children,

and they leave their abundance to their infants.

¹⁵As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;

when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.