PSALM 1917

Prayer against Persecutors

A prayer of David.

1 Hear, LORD, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry;
Listen to my prayer spoken without guile.

2 From you let my vindication come;
your eyes see what is right.

3 You have tested my heart, searched it in the night.
You have tried me by fire, but find no malice in me.
My mouth has not transgressed

4 as humans often do. As your lips have instructed me,
I have kept the way of the law.

5 My steps have kept to your paths;
my feet have not faltered.

6 I call upon you; answer me, O God.
Turn your ear to me; hear my prayer.

7 Show your wonderful love,
you who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

9 from the violence of the wicked.

10 My ravenous enemies press upon me; they close their hearts,
they fill their mouths with proud roaring.

11 Their steps even now encircle me; they watch closely,
keeping low to the ground,

12 Like lions eager for prey,
like young lions lurking in ambush.

13 Rise, O LORD, confront and cast them down;
rescue me from the wicked.

14 Slay them with your sword;
with your hand, LORD, slay them;
snatch them from the world in their prime.
Their bellies are being filled with your friends;
their children are satisfied too,
for they share what is left with their young.

15 I am just--let me see your face; when I awake,
let me be filled with your presence.