A just man’s prayer in tribulation against the malice of his enemy.

¹ A Prayer of David. Lord, listen to my justice, attend to my supplication. Pay attention to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

² Let my judgment proceed from your presence. Let your eyes behold fairness.

³ You have tested my heart and visited it by night. You have examined me by fire, and iniquity has not been found in me.

⁴ Therefore, may my mouth not speak the works of men. I have kept to difficult ways because of the words of your lips.

⁵ Perfect my steps in your paths, so that my footsteps may not be disturbed.

⁶ I have cried out because you, O God, have listened to me. Incline your ear to me and heed my words.

⁷ Make your mercies wonderful, for you save those who hope in you.

⁸ From those who resist your right hand, preserve me like the pupil of your eye. Protect me under the shadow of your wings,

⁹ from the face of the impious who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul.

¹⁰ They have concealed their fatness; their mouth has been speaking arrogantly.¹

1. 16:10Their fat: That is, their bowels of compassion: for they have none for me.(Challoner)

¹¹ They have cast me out, and now they have surrounded me. They have cast their eyes down to the earth.¹

1. 16:11They look down on other people, even the whole world. They put on the mask of false humility, casting their eyes downward, as if humble, while they act with self-exaltation and condescension.(Conte)

¹² They have taken me, like a lion ready for the prey, and like a young lion dwelling in hiding.

¹³ Rise up, O Lord, arrive before him and displace him. Deliver my soul from the impious one: your spear from the enemies of your hand.

¹⁴ Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life.¹ Their gut has been filled from your hidden stores.² They have been filled with sons, and they have bequeathed to their little ones the remainder.

1. 16:14Divide them from the few, etc: That is, cut them off from the earth, and the few trifling things thereof; which they are so proud of, or divide them from the few; that is, from thy elect, who are but few; that they may no longer have it in their power to oppress them. It is not meant by way of a curse or imprecation; but, as many other the like passages in the psalms, by way of a prediction, or prophecy of what should come upon them, in punishment of their wickedness.(Challoner)
2. 16:14Your hidden stores: Your secret treasures, out of which you furnish those earthly goods, which, with a bountiful hand you have distributed both to the good and the bad.(Challoner)

¹⁵ But as for me, I will appear before your sight in justice. I will be satisfied when your glory appears.