17
A Prayer of David. 
 1 Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, 
Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. 
 2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; 
Let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. 
 3 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. 
 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips 
I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. 
 5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, 
That my footsteps slip not. 
 6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: 
Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 
 7 Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee 
From those that rise up against them. 
 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, 
Hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 
 9 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.