Psalms Chapter 17
From The Open Bible Project
A Prayer by David.
17:1 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
- (a) My righteous cause.
17:2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
- (b) The vengeance that you will show against my enemies.
17:3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
- (c) When your Spirit examined my conscience.
(d) I was innocent toward my enemy both in deed and thought.
17:4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
- (e) Though the wicked provoked me to do evil for evil, yet your word kept me back.
17:5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
17:6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
- (f) He was assured that God would not refuse his request.
17:7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
- (g) For all rebel against you, who trouble your Church.
17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
17:9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
- (h) For their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death.
17:10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
- (i) They are puffed up with pride, as the stomach that is choked with fat.
17:11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
17:12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
17:13 Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
- (k) Stop his rage.
17:14 from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.
- (l) By your heavenly power.
(m) And not feel the pain that God’s children often do.
17:15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
- (n) This is the full happiness, comforting against all assaults to have the face of God and favourable countenance opened to us.
(o) And am delivered out of my great troubles.
