Psalms 17

Psalm 17

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors

1Hear a just cause, O Lord ; attend to my cry;

give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.

2From you let my vindication come;

let your eyes see the right.

3If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,[#Job 23.10; Ps 26.2; 39.1; 66.10; Jer 50.20]

if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;

my mouth does not transgress.

4As for what others do, by the word of your lips[#Prov 1.15]

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5My steps have held fast to your paths;[#Ps 18.36; 44.18]

my feet have not slipped.

6I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;[#Ps 86.7; 88.2]

incline your ear to me; hear my words.

7Wondrously show your steadfast love,[#Ps 20.6; 31.21]

O savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand.

8Guard me as the apple of the eye;[#Deut 32.10; Ps 36.7]

hide me in the shadow of your wings,

9from the wicked who despoil me,

my deadly enemies who surround me.

10They close their hearts to pity;[#1 Sam 2.3; Ps 31.18; 73.7]

with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

11They flush me out; now they surround me;[#17.11 Q ms Gk: MT Our steps]

they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.

12They are like a lion eager to tear,[#Ps 7.2; 10.9]

like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13Rise up, O Lord , confront them, overthrow them![#Ps 7.12; 22.20; 73.18]

By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,

14from mortals—by your hand, O Lord —[#Job 21.11; Ps 73.3–7; Isa 2.7; Lk 16.8]

from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.

May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;

may their children have more than enough;

may they leave something over to their little ones.

15As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;[#Ps 4.6, 7; 16.11; 1 Jn 3.2]

when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ