A Prayer of David.

1 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.