Psalms 17
17
Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors
1A prayer of David.
I
Hear, Lord, my plea for justice;
pay heed to my cry;
Listen to my prayer
from lips without guile.
2From you let my vindication come;
your eyes see what is right.
3You have tested my heart,
searched it in the night.#Ps 26:2; 139:23.
You have tried me by fire,
but find no malice in me.
My mouth has not transgressed
4as others often do.
As your lips have instructed me,
I have kept from the way of the lawless.
5My steps have kept to your paths;
my feet have not faltered.#Ps 18:36; Jb 23:11–12.
II
6I call upon you; answer me, O God.
Turn your ear to me; hear my speech.
7Show your wonderful mercy,
you who deliver with your right arm
those who seek refuge from their foes.
8#Apple of your eye…shadow of your wings: images of God’s special care, cf. Dt 32:10; Prv 7:2; Is 49:2.Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9from the wicked who despoil me.#Ps 10:9; 22:14, 22; 35:17; 58:7; Jb 4:10–11.
III
My ravenous enemies press upon me;#Ps 36:8; 57:2; 61:5; 63:8; 91:4; Dt 32:10; Ru 2:12; Zec 2:12; Mt 23:37.
10#17:10–12, 14] An extended metaphor: the enemies are lions.they close their hearts,
they fill their mouths with proud roaring.
11Their steps even now encircle me;
they watch closely, keeping low to the ground,
12Like lions eager for prey,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13Rise, O Lord, confront and cast them down;
rescue my soul from the wicked.
14Slay 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.
15I am just—let me see your face;
when I awake, let me be filled with your presence.#Ps 4:7; 31:17; 67:2; 80:4; Nm 6:25; Dn 9:17.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc