Psalms 17

A Prayer for Vindication

1 Listen to my righteous plea, Lord; Listen to my cry. Listen to my prayer from lips that does not lie.

2 Let my vindication come from You; Let Your eyes see what is right.

3 You checked my heart, You came to me at night; You tested me and found nothing. I made up my mind, my mouth is not going to mess up.

4 When it comes to human stuff, by the word of Your lips, I kept my distance from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps held tight to Your paths; my feet do not slip.

A Cry for Protection

6 I am calling on You, because You are going to answer, God. Bend Your ear to me, hear my words.

7 Show Your awesome grace, You who save with Your right hand Those who run to You for safety from those who rise against You.

8 Keep me like the apple of Your eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings,

9 From the wicked dudes who are messing with me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.

A Description of the Enemy

10 They shut their hearts down; With their mouths, they talk all kinds of prideful stuff.

11 They got me trapped, cornered. They set their eyes to trip me up, to throw me to the ground.

12 He is like a lion hungry for a kill, Like a young lion hiding out.

A Final Plea

13 Get up, Lord! Go at him, knock him down! Save my soul from the wicked with Your sword.

14 From the humans, by Your hand, Lord, From the humans of this world, whose portion is in this life. You fill their gut with Your treasures; They got plenty kids, and they leave their leftovers to their babies.

15 But me, I am going to see Your face in righteousness. When I wake up, I will be happy with Your image.