16
1 A Prayer of David.
Hearken, O Lord of my righteousness,
Attend to my petition;
Give ear to my prayer not uttered with deceitful lips.
2 Let my judgment come forth from thy presence;
Let mine eyes behold righteousness.
3 Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me by night;
Thou hast tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me:
I am purposed that my mouth shall not speak amiss.
4 As for the works of men, by the words of thy lips I have guarded myself from hard ways.
5 Direct my steps in thy paths,
That my steps slip not.
6 I have cried, for thou heardest me, O God:
Incline thine ear to me, and hearken to my words.
7 Show the marvels of thy mercies,
Thou that savest them that hope in thee.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye
From those that resist thy right hand:
Thou shalt screen me by the covering of thy wings,
9 From the face of the ungodly that have afflicted me:
Mine enemies have compassed about my soul.
10 They have enclosed themselves with their own fat:
Their mouth has spoken pride.
11 They have now cast me out and compassed me round about:
They have set their eyes so as to bow them down to the ground.
12 They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey,
And like a lion’s whelp dwelling in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and cast them down:
Deliver my soul from the ungodly:
Draw thy sword, 14 because of the enemies of thy hand:
O Lord, destroy them from the earth;
Scatter them in their life,
Though their belly has been filled with thy hidden treasures:
They have been satisfied with uncleanness,
And have left the remnant of their possessions to their babes.
15 But I shall appear in righteousness before thy face: