Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 17[a]

Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors

A prayer of David.

I

Hear, Lord, my plea for justice;
    pay heed to my cry;
Listen to my prayer
    from lips without guile.
From you let my vindication come;
    your eyes see what is right.
You have tested my heart,
    searched it in the night.(A)
You have tried me by fire,
    but find no malice in me.
My mouth has not transgressed
    as others often do.
As your lips have instructed me,
    I have kept from the way of the lawless.
My steps have kept to your paths;
    my feet have not faltered.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 17 A lament of an individual unjustly attacked. Confident of being found innocent, the psalmist cries out for God’s just judgment (Ps 17:1–5) and requests divine help against enemies (Ps 17:6–9a). Those ravenous lions (Ps 17:9b–12) should be punished (Ps 17:13–14). The Psalm ends with a serene statement of praise (Ps 17:15). The Hebrew text of Ps 17:3–4, 14 is uncertain.

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

Hear me,(A) Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.(B)
Hear(C) my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.(D)
Let my vindication(E) come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.(F)

Though you probe my heart,(G)
    though you examine me at night and test me,(H)
you will find that I have planned no evil;(I)
    my mouth has not transgressed.(J)
Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;(K)
    my feet have not stumbled.(L)

Read full chapter