Add parallel Print Page Options

A Prayer for Protection

A prayer of David.

17 Lord, hear ·me begging for fairness [a just cause];
    ·listen [pay attention] to my cry for help.
·Pay attention [Bend your ear] to my prayer,
    because ·I speak the truth [L my lips are not deceitful].
·You will judge that I am right [L My judgment/vindication will come from before you];
    your eyes can see what is ·true [virtuous].
You have examined my heart;
    you have ·tested me all [or visited me at] night.
You ·questioned [tested] me without finding anything wrong;
    ·I have not sinned with my mouth [L my mouth has not transgressed].
·I have obeyed your commands [L As for the deeds of people, by the word of your lips],
    ·so I have not done what evil people do [I have kept away from the ways of the violent].
·I have done what you told me [L My steps have held fast to your paths];
    ·I have not failed [L My feet have not slipped].

I call to you,
    ·and [L for] you answer me, O God.
·Listen [L Extend your ear] to me now,
    and hear what I say.
Your ·love [loyalty; covenant love] is wonderful.
    ·By your power [L At your right hand] you save those who ·trust [find their refuge in] you
    from ·their enemies [those who rise up against them].
Protect me as ·you would protect your own [or the apple/L pupil of your] eye.
    Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Keep me from the wicked who ·attack [mistreat] me,
    from my enemies who surround me.
10 They ·are selfish [close their callous hearts]
    and ·brag about themselves [L their mouths speak proudly].
11 They have ·chased [tracked] me until they have surrounded me.
    They ·plan [L set their eyes] to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like lions ready to ·kill [tear up prey];
    like lions, they sit in ·hiding [ambush; cover].

13 Lord, rise up, ·face [confront] the enemy, and ·throw them down [subdue them].
    ·Save [Rescue; T Deliver] me from the wicked with your sword.
14 Lord, save me by your ·power [L hand] from mortals,
    from mortals whose ·reward [portion] in the world is in this life.
·They have plenty of food [L Your stores have filled their bellies].
    ·They have many sons [or Their sons have plenty]
and leave ·much money [L their surplus] to their children.

15 ·Because I have lived right [In righteousness], I will see your face.
When I wake up, I will see your likeness and be satisfied.

17 Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

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

From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14 From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.