Psalm 17

International Standard Version

³ When you probe my heart,
    and examine me at night;
when you refine me,
    you will find nothing wrong,^[a]
        for I have determined that I will not transgress with my mouth.
⁴ As for the ways of mankind,
    I have, according to the words of your lips,
        avoided the ways of the violent.
⁵ Because my steps have held fast to your paths,
    my footsteps have not faltered.

⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, God.
    Listen closely to me
        and hear my prayer.
⁷ Show forth your gracious love,
    save those who take refuge in you
        from those who rebel against your sovereign power.^[b]

⁸ Protect me as the most precious part of the eye;^[c]
    hide me under the shadow of your wings
⁹ from the wicked^[d] who have afflicted me,
    from my enemies who have surrounded me.
¹⁰ They are imprisoned by their own prosperity,^[e]
    they have boasted proudly with their mouth.
¹¹ Now they have encircled our paths^[f]
    and are determined^[g] to cast us down to the ground.
¹² Like a lion they desire to rip us to pieces,
    like a young lion waiting in ambush.

¹³ Arise, Lord,
    confront them,
        bring them to their knees!
Deliver me from the wicked by your sword—
¹⁴ from men, Lord, by your hand—
from men who belong to this world,
    whose reward is only^[h] in this^[i] life.

But as for your treasured ones,
    may their stomachs be full,
may their children have an abundance,
    and may they leave wealth to their offspring.

¹⁵ But as for me, justified, I will behold your face;
    when I awake, your presence^[j] will satisfy me.