The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 A prayer of David: Hear a just cause, ADONAI, heed my cry; listen to my prayer from honest lips.
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<A Prayer. Of David.> Let my cause come to your ears, O Lord, give attention to my cry; give ear to my prayer which goes not out from false lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you, let your eyes see what is right.
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Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.
3 You probed my heart, you visited me at night, and you assayed me without finding evil thoughts that should not pass my lips.
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You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; you have put me to the test and seen no evil purpose in me; I will keep my mouth from sin.
4 As for what others do, by words from your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent;
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As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
5 my steps hold steadily to your paths, my feet do not slip.
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I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.
6 Now I call on you, God, for you will answer me. Turn your ear to me, hear my words.
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My cry has gone up to you, for you will give me an answer, O God: let your ear be turned to me, and give attention to my words.
7 Show how wonderful is your grace, savior of those who seek at your right hand refuge from their foes.
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Make clear the wonder of your mercy, O saviour of those who put their faith in your right hand, from those who come out against them.
8 Protect me like the pupil of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings
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Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,
9 from the wicked, who are assailing me, from my deadly enemies, who are all around me.
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From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.
10 They close their hearts to compassion; they speak arrogantly with their mouths;
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They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.
11 they track me down, they surround me; they watch for a chance to bring me to the ground.
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They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;
12 They are like lions eager to tear the prey, like young lions crouching in ambush.
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Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.
13 Arise, ADONAI, confront them! Bring them down! With your sword deliver me from the wicked,
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Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.
14 with your hand, ADONAI, from human beings, from people whose portion in life is this world. You fill their stomachs with your treasure, their children will be satisfied too and will leave their wealth to their little ones.
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With your hand, O Lord, from men, even men of the world, whose heritage is in this life, and whom you make full with your secret wealth: they are full of children; after their death their offspring take the rest of their goods.
15 But my prayer, in righteousness, is to see your face; on waking, may I be satisfied with a vision of you.
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As for me, I will see your face in righteousness: when I am awake it will be joy enough for me to see your form.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.