17:1 [A Prayer of David.]
Hear a just cause, LORD, give Your attention to my cry;
Listen to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
17:2 Let my ①judgment come forth from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look with integrity.
▷ ①I.e., vindication
17:3 You have put my heart to the test;
You have visited me by night;
You have sifted me and You find ①nothing;
My intent is that my mouth will not offend.
▷ ①Or no shameful act in me; My mouth
17:4 As for the works of mankind, by the word of Your lips
I have kept from the ways of the violent.
17:5 My steps have held to Your ①paths.
My feet have not slipped.
▷ ①Lit tracks
17:6 I have called upon You, for You will answer me, God;
Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.
17:7 Show Your wonderful faithfulness,
Savior of those who take refuge ①at Your right hand
From those who rise up against them.
▷ ①Or from those who rise up...at Your right hand
17:8 Keep me as ①the apple of the eye;
Hide me in the shadow of Your wings
▷ ①Lit the pupil, the daughter of the eye
17:9 From the wicked who deal violently with me,
My deadly enemies who surround me.
17:10 They have closed their ①unfeeling hearts,
With their mouths they speak proudly.
▷ ①Lit fat
17:11 They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.
17:12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear,
And as a young lion lurking in secret places.
17:13 Arise, LORD, confront him, make him bow down;
Save my soul from the wicked with Your sword,
17:14 From people by Your hand, LORD,
From people ①of the world, whose portion is in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your treasure;
They are satisfied with children,
And leave their abundance to their babies.
▷ ①Or whose portion in life is of the world
17:15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.