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Prayer for Protection against Oppressors.

¹ Hear the ^(C1)just (righteous) cause, O LORD; ^(C2)listen to my loud piercing cry;
^(C3)Listen to my prayer, that comes from ^(C4)guileless lips.

² Let ^(C1)my verdict of vindication come from Your presence;
May Your eyes look with ^(C2)equity and behold things that are just.

³ You have ^(C1)tried my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have ^(C2)tested me and ^(C3)You find nothing evil in me;
I ^(C4)intend that my mouth will not transgress.

⁴ Concerning the deeds of men, ^(C1)by the word of Your lips
I have kept away from the ^(C2)paths of the violent.

⁵ My ^(C1)steps have held closely to Your paths;
My ^(C2)feet have not staggered.

⁶ I have ^(C1)called upon You, for You, O God, will answer me;
^(C2)Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.

^7 (C1)Wondrously show Your marvelous and amazing lovingkindness,
O ^(C2)Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand
From those who rise up against them.

⁸ Keep me in Your affectionate care, protect me as the ^(F1)(C1)apple of Your eye;
Hide me ^(C2)in the protective shadow of Your wings

⁹ From the ^(C1)wicked who despoil and deal violently with me,
My ^(C2)deadly enemies who surround me.

¹⁰ They have ^(C1)closed their ^(F1)unfeeling heart to kindness and compassion;
With their mouths they ^(C2)speak proudly and make presumptuous claims.

¹¹ They track us down and have now ^(C1)surrounded us in our steps;
They set their eyes ^(C2)to force us to the ground,

^12 (C1)He is like a lion eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion ^(C2)lurking in hiding places.

^13 (C1)Arise, O LORD, confront him, ^(C2)cast him down;
^(C3)Save my soul from the wicked with ^(C4)Your sword,

¹⁴ From men with ^(C1)Your hand, O LORD,
From men of the world these moths of the night ^(C2)whose portion of enjoyment is in this life—idle and vain,
And whose belly You ^(C3)fill with Your treasure;
They are satisfied with children,
And they leave what they have left of wealth to their children.

¹⁵ As for me, I shall ^(C1)see Your face in righteousness;
^(C2)I will be fully satisfied when I awake to find myself seeing Your ^(C3)likeness.