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Song (Psalm) 17

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

See also the FAQs and the Glossary.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

17:1 A prayer for protection

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors; The Prayer of an Innocent Person

A prayer by David.

A prayer: for David; A prayer of David.; A Prayer of David.

17 Listen to my plea for justice, Yahweh.

≈Pay attention to my call for help.

≈Take notice of my prayer coming from ≈honest lips.

2 ≈Consider my case and confirm that I’m innocent.

Let your eyes see what is ≈just.

3 If you test my ≈inner motives,

if you come to me in the night to test me,

and you won’t find any evil plans—

my mouth won’t ≈say anything evil.

4 As for ≈people’s actions,

it is at the word from your ≈mouth

that I’ve kept myself from the ways of lawless >people.

5 ≈I’ve kept myself consistently on your paths.

≈My feet haven’t slipped.

6 I call to you, God, because you answer me.

≈Take notice of me and listen when I speak.

7 Show your loyal commitment in a wonderful way,

you who ≈use your power to protect

those who take refuge in you from their enemies.

8 Protect me ≈as carefully as the pupil is protected in the eye.

≈Hide me like a chick under the shadow of your wings.

9 ≡Protect me from the wicked >people who assault me—

≡from my enemies who surround me.

10 They’ve closed their ≈minds to pity.

Their mouths speak with pride.

11 They have ≈closed in on me.

They ≈have decided to throw me to the ground.

12 They’re like a lion ≈eager for a victim

like a young lion crouching in ambush.

13 ≈Take action, Yahweh.

Confront #them.

≈Knock ≈them down.

Rescue my life from wicked >people by your sword!

14 ≈Use your strength, Yahweh, to rescue me from men—

from ≈people in this world whose prosperity is in this life alone.

You’ll fill the bellies of your treasured ones with riches—

they’ll have many children and will leave their wealth to *them.

15 ≈Because I’m obedient, I’ll see your face.

≈When I wake up, I’ll be satisfied ≈at seeing you.

17A_prayer of_Dāvid\f + \fr 17:1 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

17.

1\f* hear Oh_YHWH righteousness attend cry_of_my give_ear prayer_of_my in/on/at/with_not lips_of deceit.

2 From_before_presence_of_you vindication_of_my may_it_come_forth eyes_of_your may_they_see uprightness(es).

3 You_have_tested heart_of_my you_have_visited night tested_me not you_will_find I_have_resolved not it_will_transgress mouth_of_my.

4 As_for_deeds_of humankind in/on/at/with_message_of lips_of_your I I_have_watched the_paths_of the_violent.

5 They_have_held_firm steps_of_my in/on/at/with_paths_of_your not feet_of_my they_have_been_shaken.

6 I call_on_you if/because answer_me Oh_god incline ear_of_your to_me hear my_speech/discourse.

7 Make_wonderful steadfast_love_of_your Oh_deliverer those_who_take_refuge from_rise_up in/on/at/with_right_hand_of_your.

8 Keep_me as_apple_of the_daughter_of an_eye in/on/at/with_shadow_of wings_of_your hide_me.

9 From_face/in_front_of wicked_people who despoil_me enemies_of_my in/on/at/with_life they_surround around_me.

10 Calloused_of_their they_have_closed_up mouths_of_their they_have_spoken in/on/at/with_arrogance.

11 Steps_of_our now surround_me\f + \fr 17:11 \ft OSHB variant note: סבבו/ני: (x-qere) ’סְבָב֑וּ/נוּ’: lemma_5437 n_1 morph_HVqp3cp/Sp1cp id_19dV3 סְבָב֑וּ/נוּ\f* eyes_of_their they_set to_throw on_the_earth.

12 Likeness_of_they like_lion which_it_longs to_tear and_like_young_lion which_sits in/on/at/with_ambush.

13 Rise_up Oh_YHWH confront before_of_him bring_down_him deliver life_of_my from_wicked sword_of_your.

14 From_men hand_of_your Oh_YHWH from_men of_world portion_of_whose in/on/at/with_life and_treasure_of_you\f + \fr 17:14 \ft OSHB variant note: ו/צפינ/ך: (x-qere) ’וּֽ/צְפוּנְ/ךָ֮’: lemma_c/6845 n_2.

0 morph_HC/Vqsmsc/Sp2ms id_19oGS וּֽ/צְפוּנְ/ךָ֮\f* you_fill bellies_of_their they_are_satisfied sons and_leave abundance_of_their to_children_of_their.

15 I in/on/at/with_righteousness I_will_see face_of_your I_will_be_satisfied in/on/at/with_awake likeness_of_your.

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