Psalms 17 AMPC

1. HEAR THE right (my righteous cause), O Lord; listen to my shrill, piercing cry! Give ear to my prayer, that comes from unfeigned and guileless lips.

2. Let my sentence of vindication come from You! May Your eyes behold the things that are just and upright.

3. You have proved my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and find nothing [no evil purpose in me]; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4. Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent (the paths of the destroyer).

5. My steps have held closely to Your paths [to the tracks of the One Who has gone on before]; my feet have not slipped.

6. I have called upon You, O God, for You will hear me; incline Your ear to me and hear my speech.

7. Show Your marvelous loving-kindness, O You Who save by Your right hand those who trust and take refuge in You from those who rise up against them.

8. Keep and guard me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings

9. From the wicked who despoil and oppress me, my deadly adversaries who surround me.

10. They are enclosed in their own prosperity and have shut up their hearts to pity; with their mouths they make exorbitant claims and proudly and arrogantly speak.

11. They track us down in each step we take; now they surround us; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground,

12. Like a lion greedy and eager to tear his prey, and as a young lion lurking in hidden places.

13. Arise, O Lord! Confront and forestall them, cast them down! Deliver my life from the wicked by Your sword,

14. From men by Your hand, O Lord, from men of this world [these poor moths of the night] whose portion in life is idle and vain. Their bellies are filled with Your hidden treasure [what You have stored up]; their children are satiated, and they leave the rest [of their] wealth to their babes.

15. As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You].