Psalm 17

Modern English Version

³ You have examined my heart; You have visited me in the night;
    You have tried me and found nothing;
    I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
⁴ Concerning the works of men,
    by the word of Your lips
I have avoided
    the paths of the violent,
⁵ placing my steps in Your paths,
    that my footsteps do not slip.

⁶ I called on You, for You will answer me, O God;
    incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
⁷ Show marvelously Your lovingkindness,
    O Deliverer of those who seek refuge
    by Your right hand from those who arise in opposition.
⁸ Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
    hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
⁹ from the wicked who bring ruin to me,
    from my deadly enemies who surround me.

¹⁰ They close their hard hearts;
    with their mouth they speak proudly.
¹¹ They have now encircled us in our steps;
    they have set their eyes to bend down to the earth;
¹² it is like a lion that is anxious to rip its prey,
    and as a young lion lurking in secrecy.

¹³ Arise, O Lord! Confront him, cast him down!
    Deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword,
¹⁴ from men by Your hand, O Lord,
    from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their belly with Your treasure;
    they are satisfied with children,
    and they leave their abundance to their infants.

¹⁵ As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
    I will be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness.