Chapter 17 - A crier's prayer

1 Hear the right, O LORD, 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 behold the things that are equal.

3 Thou hast proved mine heart; 

thou hast visited me in the night; 

thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; 

I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: 

incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust 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, from my deadly enemies, who 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 have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12 Like [as] a lion that is greedy of his prey, and [as] it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: 

deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men (of the world) which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: 

I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Chapter 18