17 1 Here he complaineth to God of the cruel pride and arrogance of Saul, and the rest of his enemies, who thus raged without any cause given on his part. 6 Therefore he desireth God to revenge his innocence and deliver him.

The prayer of David.

Hear [a]the right, O Lord, consider my cry: hearken unto my prayer of lips unfeigned.

Let my [b]sentence come forth from thy presence, and let thine eyes behold equity.

Thou hast [c]proved and visited mine heart in the night: thou hast tried me, and foundest nothing: for I was purposed that my [d]mouth should not offend.

Concerning the works of men, by the [e]words of thy lips I kept me from the paths of the cruel man.

Stay my steps in thy paths, that my feet do not slide.

I have called upon thee: [f]surely thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words.

Show thy marvelous mercies: thou that art the Savior of them that trust in thee, from such as [g]resist thy right hand.

Keep me as the apple of the eye: hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

From the wicked that oppress me, from mine enemies, which compass me round about for [h]my soul.

10 They are enclosed in their own [i]fat, and they have spoken proudly with their mouth.

11 They have compassed us now in our steps: they have set their eyes to bring down to the ground:

12 Like as a lion that is greedy of prey, and as it were a Lion’s whelp lurking in secret places.

13 Up Lord, [j]disappoint him: cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked [k]with thy sword,

14 From men by thine [l]hand, O Lord, from men [m]of the world, who have their [n]portion in this life, whose bellies thou fillest with thine hid treasure: their children have enough, and leave the rest of their substance for their children.

15 But I will behold thy face [o]in righteousness, and when I [p]wake, I shall be satisfied with thine image.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 17:1 My righteous cause.
  2. Psalm 17:2 The vengeance that thou shalt show against mine enemies.
  3. Psalm 17:3 When thy Spirit examined my conscience.
  4. Psalm 17:3 I was innocent toward mine enemy both in deed and thought.
  5. Psalm 17:4 Though the wicked provoked me to do evil for evil, yet thy word kept me back.
  6. Psalm 17:6 He was assured that God would not refuse his request.
  7. Psalm 17:7 For all rebel against thee, which trouble thy Church.
  8. Psalm 17:9 For their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death.
  9. Psalm 17:10 They are puffed up with pride, as the stomach that is choked with fat.
  10. Psalm 17:13 Stop his rage.
  11. Psalm 17:13 Or, which is thy sword.
  12. Psalm 17:14 By thine heavenly power.
  13. Psalm 17:14 Or, whose tyranny hath too long endured.
  14. Psalm 17:14 And feel not the smart that God’s children oft times do.
  15. Psalm 17:15 This is the full felicity, comforting against all assaults, to have the face of God and favorable countenance opened unto us.
  16. Psalm 17:15 And am delivered out of my great troubles.

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)