1 A Prayer of David. 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.
