Hear My Righteous Plea

A prayer of David.

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;

listen to my cry.

Give ear to my prayer—

[it comes] from lips free of deceit.

2 

May my vindication come from Your presence;

may Your eyes see what is right.

3 

You have tried my heart;

You have visited [me] in the night.

You have tested me and found no [evil];

I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.

4 

As for the deeds of men —

by the word of Your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5 

My steps have held to Your paths;

my feet have not slipped.

6 

I call on You, O God,

for You will answer me.

Incline Your ear to me;

hear my words.

7 

Show the wonders of Your loving devotion,

You who save by Your right hand

those who seek refuge from their foes.

8 

Keep me as the apple of[fn] Your eye;

hide me in the shadow of Your wings

9 

from the wicked who assail me,

from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10 

They have closed their callous [hearts];

their mouths speak with arrogance.

11 

They have tracked us down, and now surround us;

their eyes are set to cast [us] to the ground,

12 

like a lion greedy for prey,

like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 

Arise, O LORD, confront them!

Bring them to their knees;

deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,

14 

from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—

from men of the world

whose portion is in this life.

May You fill the bellies of Your treasured [ones][fn] and satisfy their sons,

so they leave their abundance to their children.

15 

As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness;

when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.