1 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 Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.

3 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 the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

5 I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.

6 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 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 Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,

9 From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.

10 They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.

11 They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;

12 Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.

13 Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.

14 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 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.

2 Publica a tua sentença a meu favor; dá-me razão, Senhor.

3 Tu me puseste à prova,até durante a noite me tens examinado, e não tens encontrado nada de falso: digo realmente aquilo que penso.

4 Tenho seguido as tuas palavras e tenho-me guardado de andar com homens cruéis, violentos.

5 Dirige os meus passos nos teus caminhospara que nunca vacile.

7 Mostra-me as maravilhas do teu amor. Tu livras os que confiam em tidaqueles que são teus inimigose que se revoltam contra ti.

8 Guarda-me como se eu fosse a menina do teu olho. Esconde-me à sombra das tuas asas,dos homens maus que me oprimem,

9 dos meus adversáriosque andam à minha volta para me matarem.

10 Andam inchados de orgulho. Só sabem falar com altivez.

11 Espiam os meus passos, observam-me cuidadosamentepara, assim que puderem, me lançarem ao chão.

12 São como leões, desejosos de se lançarem sobre a presa, e como os leõezinhos, que se escondem, mas para esperarem a sua oportunidade.

13 Senhor, levanta-te e fá-los parar. Livra a minha alma por meio da tua espada,dessa gente perversa.

14 Salva-me desta gente mundana, cujos interesses estão só nos lucros desta vida. Tu podes encher de bens materiais aqueles que amas,e fartar-lhes os filhos, e os filhos dos seus filhos.

15 Mas quanto a mim, a minha satisfaçãoestá em praticar a justiça, na tua presença. E quando acordar,ter a alegria de me satisfazer com a tua semelhança!