Psalms 17
17
PSALM 17
Common Meter: 8,6,8,6
A Prayer of David.
1Lord, hear the right, attend my cry,
unto my pray'r give heed,
That doth not in hypocrisy
from feigned lips proceed.
2And from before thy presence forth
my sentence do thou send:
Toward these things that equal are
do thou thine eyes intend.
3Thou 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.
4As for men's works, I, by the word
that from thy lips doth flow,
Did me preserve out of the paths
wherein destroyers go.
5Hold up my goings,
Lord, me guide
in those thy paths divine,
So that my footsteps may not slide
out of those ways of thine.
6I called have on thee, O God,
because thou wilt me hear:
That thou may'st hearken to my speech,
to me incline thine ear.
7Thy wondrous loving-kindness show,
thou that, by thy right hand,
Sav'st them that trust in thee from those
that up against them stand.
8As th' apple of the eye me keep;
in thy wings shade me close
9From lewd oppressors, compassing
me round, as deadly foes.
10In their own fat they are inclos'd;
their mouth speaks loftily.
11Our steps they compass'd; and to ground
down bowing set their eye.
12He like unto a lion is
that's greedy of his prey,
Or lion young, which lurking doth
in secret places stay.
13Arise, and disappoint my foe,
and cast him down,
O Lord: My soul save from the wicked man,
the man which is thy sword.
14From 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.
15But as for me, I thine own face
in righteousness will see;
And with thy likeness, when I wake,
I satisfy'd shall be.
Currently Selected:
Psalms 17: MP1650
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Psalms 17
17
Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors
1A prayer of David.
I
Hear, Lord, my plea for justice;
pay heed to my cry;
Listen to my prayer
from lips without guile.
2From you let my vindication come;
your eyes see what is right.
3You have tested my heart,
searched it in the night.#Ps 26:2; 139:23.
You have tried me by fire,
but find no malice in me.
My mouth has not transgressed
4as others often do.
As your lips have instructed me,
I have kept from the way of the lawless.
5My steps have kept to your paths;
my feet have not faltered.#Ps 18:36; Jb 23:11–12.
II
6I call upon you; answer me, O God.
Turn your ear to me; hear my speech.
7Show your wonderful mercy,
you who deliver with your right arm
those who seek refuge from their foes.
8#Apple of your eye…shadow of your wings: images of God’s special care, cf. Dt 32:10; Prv 7:2; Is 49:2.Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9from the wicked who despoil me.#Ps 10:9; 22:14, 22; 35:17; 58:7; Jb 4:10–11.
III
My ravenous enemies press upon me;#Ps 36:8; 57:2; 61:5; 63:8; 91:4; Dt 32:10; Ru 2:12; Zec 2:12; Mt 23:37.
10#17:10–12, 14] An extended metaphor: the enemies are lions.they close their hearts,
they fill their mouths with proud roaring.
11Their steps even now encircle me;
they watch closely, keeping low to the ground,
12Like lions eager for prey,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13Rise, O Lord, confront and cast them down;
rescue my soul from the wicked.
14Slay them with your sword;
with your hand, Lord, slay them;
snatch them from the world in their prime.
Their bellies are being filled with your friends;
their children are satisfied too,
for they share what is left with their young.
15I am just—let me see your face;
when I awake, let me be filled with your presence.#Ps 4:7; 31:17; 67:2; 80:4; Nm 6:25; Dn 9:17.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc