Psalm 17

​Normally, my poems contain four lines per verse. That's just the way I work. In this case, however, six lines per verse worked out nicely. Of course, there is the added challenge to come up with the additional rhymes. And, you need to have enough material to cover the additional length. You cannot have finished a six-line stanza only to find there is just one more verse in the chapter to cover. So, you need to pace yourself.

My last two posts were crammed with MANY Psalms and only snippets of most of them.  I was going to do the same with this post, as I have already completed Psalm 25 a couple of days ago, but decided to take a different approach.

For this post, I've accompanied my poem with the actual psalm, with the various verses from different translations from which the poem was written.

The problem I'll face with this posting method, is that not all of these poems have a story behind them.  Psalm 17 was written in 2 days, one day after my last post. And, it was written nearly a month ago. I didn't have any time to get to know it, before moving on to the next one. So, I don't remember too much about it.

Verse 14 was so long and the translations varied so greatly that I ultimately broke it down into the three parts of the three translations I worked with.

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Psalm 17

A Psalm of David

​​Oh hear, O LORD, my righteous plea,
and listen to my fervent cry.
Give ear unto my prayer and see,
it comes from lips that do not lie.
Let vindication come to me;
see truth and justice through your eye.

You've tried my heart, and probed each thought,
examined my heart in the night.
You've scrutinized me, finding naught;
I'll only speak what's pure and right.
Regarding men, your words have taught
me to avoid their violent fight.

My footsteps to your paths adhere;
my feet have neither slipped nor strayed.
I call on you, incline your ear;
God, listen to the prayer I've prayed.
Let your unfailing love appear,
and wonders of your hand displayed.

Save those who seek to utilize
the mighty refuge you provide.
Protect me as you would your eyes;
beneath your wings, LORD, let me hide
from all those seeking my demise,
and enemies on every side.

Their calloused hearts are closed with hate;
their arrogance and pride abound.
They track me down, surround and wait,
alert to throw me to the ground.
Like lions' prey, they mutilate;
their young ones stalk without a sound.

Arise, O LORD! Against them, stand,
and save me with your mighty sword
from wicked people by your hand
who view this world as their reward.
You fill their bellies' great demand
with hidden treasure you have stored.

You let their wombs be filled with grace
as many sons and daughters grew;
in death, their young resume the chase
to have their parent's wealth accrue.
For me, one day I'll see your face;
and I'll be satisfied in you.

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​17:1 (BSB)
Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer--
it comes from lips free of deceit.

17:2 (BSB)
May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.

17:3 (NLT)
You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say.

17:4 (ESV)
With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

17:5 (ESV)
My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 

17:6 (ESV)
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

17:7 (NLT)
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.

17:8 (NLT)
Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

17:9 (NIV)
from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

17:10 (BSB)
They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.

17:11 (NIV)
They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

17:12 (NLT)
They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart— like young lions hiding in ambush.

17:13 (NLT)
Arise, O LORD! Stand against them, and bring them to their knees! Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!

17:14a (NIV)
By your hand save me from such people, LORD, from those of this world whose reward is in this life.

17:14b (NKJV)
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.

17:14c (NLT)
May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.

17:15 (BSB)
As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.

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​BSB: Berean Study Bible   •   NLT: New Living Translation   •   ESV: English Standard Version   •   NIV: New International Version   •   NKJV: New King James Version