Sermon text

Psalm 17

¹ Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
² From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!

³ You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
⁴ With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
⁵ My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
⁹ from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

¹⁰ They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
¹¹ They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
¹² He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.

¹³ Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
¹⁴ from men by your hand, O LORD,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.

¹⁵ As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.