Psalms 17

1 Hear my righteousness, Lord. Pay attention to my plea; listen to my prayer, which does not come from deceitful lips.

2 May my judgment come from your presence; may my eyes see uprightness.

3 You tested my heart and visited me at night. You refined me with fire, and no injustice was found in me.

4 So that my mouth would not speak of human deeds, I kept to hard ways because of the words of your lips.

5 Set my steps firmly in your paths so that my footsteps will not be shaken.

6 I cried because you heard me, God. Bend your ear toward me and hear my words.

7 Make your mercies wonderful, you who save those who trust in you from those who resist your right hand.

8 Guard me like the pupil of an eye. You will shelter me under the cover of your wings

9 from the ungodly who have made me suffer. My enemies surrounded my soul.

10 They enclosed their own fat; their mouths spoke pride.

11 They cast me out and now surround me. They fixed their eyes on bending me down to the ground.

12 They waited for me like a lion ready for prey, like a young lion living in hidden places.

13 Rise, Lord! Reach them first and trip them. Rescue my soul from the ungodly, your sword from the enemies of your hand.

14 Lord, separate them in their lifetime from the few on earth. Their stomachs were filled with your hidden things; they were satisfied with sons and left what remained to their infants.

15 But I will appear before your face in righteousness. I will be satisfied when your glory appears.