17:1 A prayer of David. I Hear, LORD, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry;Listen to my prayer spoken without guile.
17:2 From you let my vindication come; your eyes see what is right.
17:3 You have tested my heart, searched it in the night. You have tried me byfire, but find no malice in me. My mouth has not transgressed
17:4 as humans often do. As your lips have instructed me, I have kept the way ofthe law.
17:5 My steps have kept to your paths; my feet have not faltered.II
17:6 I call upon you; answer me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my prayer.
17:7 Show your wonderful love, you who deliver with your right arm those who seekrefuge from their foes.
17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
17:9f rom the violence of the wicked.III
17:10 My ravenous enemies press upon me; they close their hearts, they fill theirmouths with proud roaring.
17:11 Their steps even now encircle me; they watch closely, keeping low to theground,
17:12 Like lions eager for prey, like young lions lurking in ambush.
17:13 Rise, O LORD, confront and cast them down; rescue me so from the wicked.
17:14 Slay them with your sword; with your hand, LORD, slay them; snatch them fromthe 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.
17:15 I am just ?let me see your face; when I awake, let me be filled with yourpresence.