Psalms

17 Hear a just cause, Jehovah, listen to my appeal,

give ear to my prayer not made with cheating lips.

2 From before you let judgment issue on my behalf;

let your eyes take cognizance of equity.

3 You have tested me, examined me at night,

assayed me; you will not find viciousness of mine;

My mouth shall not pass over

4 for deeds of man.

By the words of your lips I have kept

from ruffian’s paths.

5 Steady my steps in your roads;

let me not lose my footing.

6 I call to you, because you will answer me, God:

bend your ear to me, hear my say.

7 Do acts of special friendship,

you who by your right hand save from adversaries men who take refuge in you.

8 Guard me like the apple of your eye,

screening me in the shadow of your wings,

9 From criminals who have assaulted me,

my enemies who greedily surround me.

10 Their heart is tallow, their chest is blubber;

they talk with a swagger.

11 They eye us, they surround us now,

they fix their eyes on the country.

12 What he is like is a lion eager to make a kill,

a two-year-old lion sitting in a covert.

13 Up, Jehovah, meet him face to face;

put him down; preserve my life,

14 Your sword preserve it from a ruffian, your hand from men, Jehovah,

from men whose part in life is earthly,

Whose stomach you fill with your stores; they have all the sons they want,

lay down their surplus for their youngsters.

15 As for me, by integrity I shall gaze on your face;

at waking I shall look at your form as much as I please.