Psalm 17

William Helder © 1980, 2004

1. LORD, hear me plead a righteous cause;
   With blameless lips I come before You
   And with my bitter cries implore You
   To rescue one who loves Your laws.
   LORD, silence every accusation
   Of those who in my harm delight
   And fix Your eyes on what is right.
   I look to You for vindication.
   
2. If in the night You probe my mind
   And test my inner thoughts and feelings,
   All that my heart may be concealing,
   You will in me no evil find.
   My mouth does not commit transgression.
   As for the works of wicked men,
   Your word has kept me far from sin,
   From ways of violent oppression.
   
3. Your paths I took to travel by,
   And never did I slip or waver.
   I call on You, I seek Your favor,
   For You will answer from on high.
   LORD, show Your mercy never-ending
   And hear my prayer from heaven above.
   Display the wonders of Your love,
   O shield of those on You depending.
   
4. LORD, as the apple of Your eye
   Protect me; with Your care provide me.
   Beneath Your wings, O Savior, hide me:
   My deadly foes in ambush lie.
   They close their hearts to all compassion
   And utter boastful vanity.
   They track me down, surrounding me
   To make me yield to their oppression.
   
5. They like a lion crave their prey;
   Me they are seeking to devour.
   Rise up, O LORD! Show them Your power
   And with Your hand snatch me away.
   Save me from those whose only pleasure
   Is this life’s portion, nothing more.
   O gorge them with the wealth they store
   And let their offspring share such treasure.
   
6. But I, when I awake, shall see
   Your face in righteousness and glory.
   LORD, with Your likeness then before me,
   How rich and full my joy shall be.