A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O Lord, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, from lips without deceit.

A psalm of David. Hear, O L rd, [my prayer intoned in] righteousness. Listen to my song. Give ear to my prayer [uttered] without lips of deceit.

Let my sentence come forth from Thy presence; let Thy eyes behold the right.

Let my judgment depart from You [i.e., Let those transgressions for which I deserve to be afflicted not come before You for judgment.] Let Your eyes look justly [upon what merits I may have].

Thou hast proved my heart; Thou hast visited it in the night: Thou hast tried me, but Thou findest nothing; let no presumptuous thought pass my lips.

[I know that I am guilty of transgression (with Bathsheva) and that in judgment before You I would not be vindicated, for] You have [already] tried my heart [and found it wanting]. You appointed the night [for my trial with Bathsheva (viz. II Samuel 11:2)]. You tried me — You did not find [(what You wished to see in me)]. If I think [again of asking to be tried (as I did in this instance, viz. Psalms 26:2)], let it [the thought] not cross my mouth.

Concerning the works of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the violent.

[Thenceforward,] for [all] the acts of man [that I projected], I was heedful [to avoid], because of the word of Your lips, the ways of the breacher [of the paths], [and I was heedful]

My steps have held fast to Thy paths; my feet have not slipped.

to keep my steps in Your paths, that my feet not slip.

I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O God: incline Thy ear to me, and hear my speech.

I have called upon You because [I know that] You will answer me, G d; incline Your ear to me and hear my words.

Show marvellously Thy steadfast love, saving with Thy right hand from their enemies those who seek refuge.

Discriminate Your lovingkindnesses, to save with Your right hand those who take refuge [in You] from those who rise up [against You].

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings,

Guard me as the apple of the eye [(the pupil, which is guarded by the lids)]; conceal me in the shadow of Your wings.

from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

[(Guard me)] from the wicked. For my foes despoil me; they surround me [to take] my soul.

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

[With] their fats they have closed [their hearts and their eyes from regarding Your acts to fear You]; their mouths have spoken haughtily.

They dog our footsteps; they surround us: they set their eyes to tread us down to the earth;

They now encircle our steps; they fix their gaze to set upon the land.

he is like a lion greedy for its prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

He [the foe] is like a lion, lusting for prey; like a young lion, lurking [in ambush].

Arise, O Lord, confront him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, by Thy sword:

Arise, O L rd, confront him; humble him; save my soul from the evil-doer, Your sword [(whereby you exact retribution)].

from men, by Thy hand, O Lord, from men whose portion in life is of the world, and whose belly Thou fillest with Thy treasure: who have children in plenty, and who leave their abundance to their babes.

[May I be] among those who die by Your hand [(upon their beds)], [among those] who die of old age, [among those (the tzaddikim)] whose portion is in life, and [among those] whose stomachs You will fill [with the good] that You have stored up [for those who fear You], who are sated with [worthy] sons, who leave their abundance to their young ones.

As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding Thy likeness.

I, in righteousness, will see Your face; I will be sated with Your image at the awakening [(the resurrection)].