Psalm 17

In the Shadow of Your Wings

¹ Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
² From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.

³ If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
⁴ As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
⁵ My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me, hear my words.
⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

⁸ Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
⁹ from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

¹⁰ They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
¹¹ They track me down; ₁ now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
¹² They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.

¹³ Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
¹⁴ from mortals--by your hand, O Lord--
from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their little ones.

¹⁵ As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.