Psalm 17

A Prayer of David.

1        Lord, hear the right, attend my cry,

                   unto my pray'r give heed,

          That doth not in hypocrisy

                   from feigned lips proceed.

2        And from before thy presence forth

                   my sentence do thou send:

          Toward these things that equal are

                   do thou thine eyes intend.

3        Thou prov'dst mine heart, thou visit'dst me

                   by night, thou didst me try,

          Yet nothing found'st; for that my mouth

                   shall not sin, purpos'd I.

4        As for men's works, I, by the word

                   that from thy lips doth flow,

          Did me preserve out of the paths

                   wherein destroyers go.

5        Hold up my goings, Lord, me guide

                   in those thy paths divine,

          So that my footsteps may not slide

                   out of those ways of thine.

6        I called have on thee, O God,

                   because thou wilt me hear:

          That thou may'st hearken to my speech,

                   to me incline thine ear.

7        Thy wondrous lovingkindness show,

                   thou that, by thy right hand,

          Sav'st them that trust in thee from those

                   that up against them stand.

8        As th' apple of the eye me keep;

                   in thy wings shade me close

9        From lewd oppressors, compassing

                   me round, as deadly foes.

10      In their own fat they are inclos'd;

                   their mouth speaks loftily.

11      Our steps they compass'd; and to ground

                   down bowing set their eye.

12      He like unto a lion is

                   that's greedy of his prey,

          Or lion young, which lurking doth

                   in secret places stay.

13      Arise, and disappoint my foe,

                   and cast him down, O Lord:

          My soul save from the wicked man,

                   the man which is thy sword.

14      From men, which are thy hand, O Lord,

                   from worldly men me save,

          Which only in this present life

                   their part and portion have.

          Whose belly with thy treasure hid

                   thou fill'st: they children have

          In plenty; of their goods the rest

                   they to their children leave.

15      But as for me, I thine own face

                   in righteousness will see;

          And with thy likeness, when I wake,

                   I satisfy'd shall be.