Psalms 17:2-13

²Let from thy presence my sentence come forth; let thy eyes behold what is right.

³Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast thought of me in the night; thou hast refined me—thou couldst find nothing: my purpose doth not pass beyond the words of my mouth.

⁴Among the deeds of men did I observe, by the word of thy lips, the paths of the dissolute.

⁵My steps held firmly to thy tracks, and my footsteps did not slip.

⁶I call on thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: incline thy ear unto me, hear my speech.

⁷Show marvelously thy loving-kindnesses, O thou that savest those who put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them by thy right hand.

⁸Keep me as the apple of the eye; conceal me under the shadow of thy wings,

⁹From the wicked that despoil me, my enemies, who, to take my life, compass me about.

¹⁰They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

¹¹On our steps they now encompass us: they direct their eyes to turn aside in the land.

¹²Every man is just like a lion that is greedy to tear his prey, and like a young lion lurking in a covert.

¹³Arise, O Lord, prevent him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, who is thy sword,—