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David wrote this prayer.

A prayer for help

17 Lord, please listen to me.
    I am asking you to do something that is right.
I am speaking what is true,
    so please do what I ask you to do.
Say clearly that I am not guilty.
    You can see for yourself that I am right.
You look deep into my mind.
    You check my thoughts at night.
When you test me,
    you find nothing that is wrong.
I have decided that I will never tell any lies.
I have watched people do bad things.
But I have obeyed your commands.
I have not joined with cruel people
    to do what they do.
No, I carefully follow your ways.
    I do not turn away from them.
I pray to you, God,
    because you will answer me.
Please listen to me when I pray to you.
Do great things that show your faithful love!
You have the power to keep people safe from their enemies.
    You help them when they trust you for help.
Please keep me safe,
    in the same way that people take care of their eyes.
Keep me near to you,
    in the way that birds protect their babies under their wings.
Keep me safe from the wicked men who attack me.
My enemies are all around me,
    and they want to kill me!
10 They refuse to be kind to anyone.
    They speak proud words.
11 Now they have found me. They are ready to attack!
They look for their chance
    to knock me down to the ground.
12 They are like hungry lions.
    They want to tear me into pieces.
They are hiding like young lions.
    They are ready to jump out and catch me!
13 Lord, please do something!
    Fight against them! Knock them down!
Take your sword and save me from those wicked men.
14 Lord, use your power to save me from them.
They only think about this world,
    and they enjoy the good things that it gives them.
So give them all that you have ready for them.
    Give them more than they want!
May their children also have plenty,
    and enough left to give to their children too.
15 As for me, Lord, I am not guilty of sin.
    So I will see your face.
When I wake up, I will see you clearly,
    and I will be really happy!

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)

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;(M)
    turn your ear to me(N) and hear my prayer.(O)
Show me the wonders of your great love,(P)
    you who save by your right hand(Q)
    those who take refuge(R) in you from their foes.
Keep me(S) as the apple of your eye;(T)
    hide me(U) in the shadow of your wings(V)
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.(W)

10 They close up their callous hearts,(X)
    and their mouths speak with arrogance.(Y)
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,(Z)
    with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion(AA) hungry for prey,(AB)
    like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up,(AC) Lord, confront them, bring them down;(AD)
    with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
    from those of this world(AE) whose reward is in this life.(AF)
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
    may their children gorge themselves on it,
    and may there be leftovers(AG) for their little ones.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
    when I awake,(AH) I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.(AI)