A Prayer for Protection

A Davidic prayer.

1LORD, hear a just cause;a

pay attention to my cry;

listen to my prayer —

from lips free of deceit.b

2Let my vindication come from You,

for You see what is right.c

3You have tested my heart;d

You have examined me at night.

You have tried me and found nothing evil;e

I have determined that my mouth will not sin.f

4Concerning what people do:

by the word of Your lipsg

I have avoided the ways of the violent.h

5My steps are on Your paths;

my feet have not slipped.i

6I call on You, God,

because You will answer me;j

listen closely to me; hear what I say.

7Display the wonders of Your faithful love,k

Savior of all who seek refugel

from those who rebel against Your right hand.m

8Protect me as the pupil of Your eye;n

hide me in the shadow of Your wingso

9fromp the wicked who treat me violently,q

my deadly enemies who surround me.r

10They have become hardened;s, t

their mouths speak arrogantly.u

11They advance against me;v now they surround me.w

They are determinedx

to throw me to the ground.y

12They arez like a lion eager to tear,

like a young lion lurking in ambush.aa

13Rise up, LORD!

Confront him; bring him down.ab

With Your sword, save me from the wicked.ac

14With Your hand, LORD, save me from men,

from men of the world

whose portion is in this life:

You fill their bellies with what You have in store;

their sons are satisfied,

and they leave their surplus to their children.ad

15But I will see Your face in righteousness;ae

when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.af, ag