17:1  HEAR THE right (my righteous cause), O Lord; listen to my shrill, piercing cry! Give ear to my prayer, that comes from unfeigned {and} guileless lips.

17:2  Let my sentence of vindication come from You! May Your eyes behold the things that are just {and} upright.

17:3  You have proved my heart; You have visited {me} in the night; You have tried me and find nothing [no evil purpose in me]; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

17:4  Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent (the paths of the destroyer).

17:5  My steps have held closely to Your paths [to the tracks of the One Who has gone on before]; my feet have not slipped.

17:6  I have called upon You, O God, for You will hear me; incline Your ear to me {and} hear my speech.

17:7  Show Your marvelous loving-kindness, O You Who save by Your right hand those who trust {and} take refuge in You from those who rise up against them.

17:8  Keep {and} guard me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings

17:9  From the wicked who despoil {and} oppress me, my deadly adversaries who surround me.

17:10  They are enclosed in their own prosperity {and} have shut up their hearts to pity; with their mouths they make exorbitant claims {and} proudly {and} arrogantly speak.

17:11  They track us down in each step we take; now they surround us; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground,

17:12  Like a lion greedy {and} eager to tear his prey, and as a young lion lurking in hidden places.

17:13  Arise, O Lord! Confront {and} forestall them, cast them down! Deliver my life from the wicked by Your sword,

17:14  From men by Your hand, O Lord, from men of {this} world [these poor moths of the night] whose portion in life is idle {and} vain. Their bellies are filled with Your hidden treasure [what You have stored up]; their children are satiated, and they leave the rest [of their] wealth to their babes.

17:15  As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You].