A Prayer for Protection against Oppressors

171 A Prayer of David. Hear, O Jehovah, righteousness, attend my cry, Give ear 'to' my prayer, without lips of deceit. 2 From before thee my judgment doth go out; Thine eyes do see uprightly. 3 Thou hast proved my heart, Thou hast inspected by night, Thou hast tried me, Thou findest nothing; My thoughts pass not over my mouth. 4 As to doings of man, Through a word of Thy lips I have observed The paths of a destroyer; 5 To uphold my goings in Thy paths, My steps have not slidden. 6 I—I called Thee, for Thou dost answer me, O God, incline Thine ear to me, hear my speech. 7 Separate wonderfully Thy kindness, O Saviour of the confiding, By Thy right hand, from withstanders.

8 Keep me as the apple, the daughter of the eye; In shadow of Thy wings thou dost hide me. 9 From the face of the wicked who spoiled me. Mine enemies in soul go round against me. 10 Their fat they have closed up, Their mouths have spoken with pride: 11 'Our steps now have compassed 'him';' Their eyes they set to turn aside in the land. 12 His likeness as a lion desirous to tear, As a young lion dwelling in secret places. 13 Arise, O Jehovah, go before his face, Cause him to bend. Deliver my soul from the wicked, Thy sword, 14 From men, Thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, their portion 'is' in life, And 'with' Thy hidden things Thou fillest their belly, They are satisfied 'with' sons; And have left their abundance to their sucklings. 15 I—in righteousness, I see Thy face; I am satisfied, in awaking, 'with' Thy form!