171 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 2 From thee let my vindication come! Let thy eyes see the right! 3 If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night, if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. 4 With regard to the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to thy paths, my feet have not slipped. 6 I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God; incline thy ear to me, hear my words. 7 Wondrously show thy steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at thy right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of thy wings, 9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 11 They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground. 12 They are like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. 13 Arise, O Lord! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword, 14 from men by thy hand, O Lord, from men whose portion in life is of the world. May their belly be filled with what thou hast stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their babes. 15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding thy form.
