1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry ; Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence ; Let thine eyes look upon equity.
3 Thou hast proved my heart ; thou hast visited me in the night ; Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing ; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God : Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that take refuge in thee From those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye ; Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.
10 They are inclosed in their own fat : With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps ; They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down : Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword ;
14 From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure : They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness ; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.