17
1 (Tefillah of Dovid)
Hear the tzedek (righteous plea of a just cause), Hashem,
attend unto my cry,
give ear unto my tefillah, that goeth not out of lips of mirmah (deceit).
2 Let my mishpat (right) come forth from Thy presence;
let Thine eyes behold the things that are right.
3 Thou hast probed mine lev;
Thou hast visited me in the lailah;
Thou hast tested me and shalt find nothing;
I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men,
by the Devar of Thy lips
I have kept myself from the paths of the cruel.
5 Uphold my goings in Thy paths,
that my footsteps stumble not.
6 I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O El;
incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my prayer.
7 Show Thy marvellous chesed,
O Thou Moshi'a Who saves by Thy right hand
them which put their trust in Thee from those that rise up against them.
8 Be shomer over me as the apple of Thy eye;
hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,
9 From the resha'im that oppress me,
from my deadly enemies threatening my nefesh, who surround me.
10 They have closed up callously and mercilessly against me;
with their mouth they speak with ge'ut (pride).
11 At every step they have surrounded me;
their purpose is to strike down to ha'aretz;
12 Like aryeh eager to tear his prey,
and like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, Hashem, confront him, cast him down;
deliver my nefesh from the resha with Thy cherev;
14 From men with Thy yad, Hashem,
from men of the world, whose portion is in this life,
and with Thy treasures Thou fillest their belly;
they are satisfied with children,
and leave their abundance to their babes.
15 As for me, in tzedek I will behold Thy face;
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy temunah (form).*
* 17:15 See Num 12:8