(A prayer by David.)
The Prayer of an Innocent Person
1 I am innocent, Lord!
Won't you listen as I pray
and beg for help?
I am honest!
Please hear my prayer.
2 Only you can say
that I am innocent,
because only your eyes
can see the truth.
3 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.
4 I don't do like others.
I obey your teachings
and am not cruel.
5 I have followed you,
without ever stumbling.
6 I pray to you, God,
because you will help me.
Listen and answer my prayer!
7 Show your wonderful love.
Your mighty arm protects those
who run to you for safety
from their enemies.
8 Protect me as you would
your very own eyes;
hide me in the shadow
of your wings.
9 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.
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.
1 The prayer of Dauid. Heare the right, O Lord, consider my crye: hearken vnto my prayer of lips vnfained. 2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence, and let thine eyes beholde equitie. 3 Thou hast prooued and visited mine heart in the night: thou hast tryed me, and foundest nothing: for I was purposed that my mouth should not offend. 4 Concerning the workes of men, by the wordes of thy lips I kept mee from the paths of the cruell man. 5 Stay my steps in thy paths, that my feete doe not slide. 6 I haue called vpon thee: surely thou wilt heare me, O God: incline thine eare to me, and hearken vnto my wordes. 7 Shewe thy marueilous mercies, thou that art the Sauiour of them that trust in thee, from such as resist thy right hand. 8 Keepe me as the apple of the eye: hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings, 9 From the wicked that oppresse mee, from mine enemies, which compasse me round about for my soule. 10 They are inclosed in their owne fat, and they haue spoken proudely with their mouth. 11 They haue compassed vs now in our steps: they haue set their eyes to bring downe to the ground: 12 Like as a lyon that is greedy of pray, and as it were a lyons whelp lurking in secret places. 13 Vp Lord, disappoint him: cast him downe: deliuer my soule from the wicked with thy sworde, 14 From men by thine hand, O Lord, from men of the world, who haue their portion in this life, whose bellies thou fillest with thine hid treasure: their children haue ynough, and leaue the rest of their substance for their children. 15 But I will beholde thy face in righteousnes, and when I awake, I shalbe satisfied with thine image.