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(A prayer by David.)

The Prayer of an Innocent Person

I am innocent, Lord!
Won't you listen as I pray
    and beg for help?
I am honest!
    Please hear my prayer.
Only you can say
    that I am innocent,
because only your eyes
    can see the truth.

You know my heart,
    and even during the night
you have tested me
    and found me innocent.
I have made up my mind
    never to tell a lie.
I don't do like others.
I obey your teachings
    and am not cruel.
I have followed you,
    without ever stumbling.

I pray to you, God,
    because you will help me.
Listen and answer my prayer!
    Show your wonderful love.
Your mighty arm protects those
who run to you for safety
    from their enemies.
Protect me as you would
    your very own eyes;
hide me in the shadow
    of your wings.

Don't let my brutal enemies
attack from all sides
    and kill me.
10 They refuse to show mercy,
    and they keep bragging.

11 They have caught up with me!
    My enemies are everywhere,
eagerly hoping to smear me
    in the dirt.
12 They are like hungry lions
    hunting for food,
or like young lions
    hiding in ambush.

13 Do something, Lord!
    Attack and defeat them.
Take your sword and save me
    from those evil people.
14 Use your powerful arm
    and rescue me
from the hands of mere humans
    whose world won't last.[a]

You provide food
    for those you love.
Their children have plenty,
and their grandchildren
    will have more than enough.

15 I am innocent, Lord,
    and I will see your face!
When I awake, all I want
    is to see you as you are.

Footnotes

  1. 17.14 Use … last: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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