XVII. Book I. Prayer for Protection Against Oppressors. 1909-14. The Book of Psalms. The Harvard Classics

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The Book of Psalms.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Book I

XVII

Prayer for Protection Against Oppressors

A Prayer of David.


[1]	HEAR the right, O Jehovah, 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 1 thine eyes look upon equity.
[3]	Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and findest 2 nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
[4]	As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
[5]	My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.
[6]	I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
[7]	Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by 3 thy right hand them that take refuge 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, From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.
[9]	They 4 are inclosed in their own fat: With their mouth they speak proudly.
[10]	They have now compassed us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
[11]	He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
[12]	Arise, O Jehovah, Confront 5 him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the 6 wicked by thy sword;
[13]	From men 7 by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of 8 the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
[14]	As for me, I 9 shall behold thy face in righteousness; I 10 shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.

Note 1. Or, Thine eyes behold with equity. [back]

Note 2. Or, findest no evil purpose in me; My mouth &c. [back]

Note 3. Or, them that take refuge … rise up against thy right hand. [back]

Note 4. Or, They have shut up their heart. [back]

Note 5. Or, Forestall. [back]

Note 6. Or, the wicked, who is thy sword. [back]

Note 7. Or, men who are thy hand. [back]

Note 8. Or, whose portion in life is of the world. [back]

Note 9. Or, let me. [back]

Note 10. Or, let me. [back]

CONTENTS · BOOK CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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