Psalms 17

1 Hear, O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], my righteous [just, morally upright] plea; listen [to hear and obey, give attention] to my cry [a loud, ringing cry of joy or praise]. Give ear [to listen carefully, heed] to my prayer [supplication, request to God]— it comes from lips [the edge or border of something, language] free of deceit [falsehood, cheating, without guile]. word study 2 May my vindication [sentence, judgment] come from Your [before thee, in Your sight] presence [face, being in front of You]; may Your eyes [source of perception] see [behold, look upon] what is right [uprightness, equity, fairness]. word study 3 You have tried [examined, tested] my heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect]; You have visited [overseen, reckoned with] me in the night [a time of darkness, adversity]. You have tested [proven, refined] me and found no evil [nothing, no wickedness]; I have resolved [purposed, determined] not to sin [transgress, offend] with my mouth [lips, words]. word study 4 As for the deeds [works, actions] of men— by the word [thing, matter] of Your lips [language, speech] I have avoided [kept myself from, observed] the ways [paths, journey] of the violent [destructive, cruel]. word study 5 My steps [the act of walking, progress] have held [to grasp, uphold] to Your paths [track, way of life]; my feet [beat, footstep] have not [absence of] slipped [to shake, waver]. word study 6 I [the psalmist, a humble worshiper] call on You, O God [Elohim, the all-powerful], for You will answer me [respond to my prayer, give a divine response]. Incline Your ear [bend down to listen, give attention] to me; hear [listen carefully, obey] my words [spoken thoughts, heartfelt cries]. word study 7 Show [make clear, reveal] the wonders [marvelous, extraordinary] of Your loving devotion [kindness, mercy], You who save [rescue, deliver] by Your right hand [power, strength] those who seek refuge [take shelter, trust] from their foes [enemies, adversaries]. word study 8 Keep me as the apple [pupil, daughter] of Your eye [source of sight]; hide me [conceal, protect] in the shadow [dark area, shade] of Your wings [extremity, edge, covering] word study 9 from the [morally wrong, guilty of crime or sin] wicked [who oppress me, wanting to destroy me] who assail me, from my [deadly, wanting to kill me] mortal enemies [that compass me about, surrounding me] who surround me. word study 10 They have closed [shut up, enclosed] their callous [hardened, unfeeling] hearts; their mouths [lips, edge of the soul] speak with [proudly, in majesty] arrogance [pride, haughtiness]. word study 11 They have tracked us down [hunted and searched for us], and now [at this time] surround us [compassed us in our steps]; their eyes [the source of their intentions] are set [to place or fix] to cast us [to bring us] to the ground [the earth, the land], word study 12 like a lion [greedy of his prey, desirous to tear] greedy for prey, like a young lion [lurking in secret places, dwelling in hiding] lurking in ambush. word study 13 Arise [stand up, rise to power], O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], confront [meet, go before] them! Bring [cause to bow, humble] them to their knees [in submission, reverence]; deliver [rescue, save] me from the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] by Your sword [cutting instrument], word study 14 from such men [of the world, with earthly focus], O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], by Your hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share]— from men of the world [with temporal perspective] whose portion [inheritance, allotted share] is in this life [temporary, fleeting]. May You fill [to make full, complete] the bellies [seat of hunger, emotions] of Your treasured ones [cherished, beloved ones] and satisfy [to fill with enough, content] their sons [descendants, children], so they leave [to rest, settle] their abundance [excess, remainder] to their children [infants, young ones]. word study 15 As for me [I, the humble speaker], I will behold [see, gaze upon, have a vision of] Your face [presence, likeness] in righteousness [justice, moral integrity]; when I awake [am roused, become conscious], I will be satisfied [fulfilled, content] in Your presence [before You, with Your likeness]. word study