Psalm 16-17

Easy-to-Read Version

A miktam of David.

16 Protect me, God, because I depend on you.
²Some of you^[a] have said to the Lord,
    “You are my Lord.
    Every good thing I have comes from you.”
³But you have also said about the gods^[b] of this land,
    “They are my powerful gods.
    They are the ones who make me happy.”

⁴But those who worship other gods will have many troubles.
    I will not share in the gifts of blood they offer to their idols.
    I will not even say their names.
⁵Lord, you give me all that I need.
    You support me.
    You give me my share.
⁶My share^[c] is wonderful.
    My inheritance^[d] is very beautiful.
⁷I praise the Lord because he taught me well.
    Even at night he put his instructions deep inside my mind.^[e]

⁸I always remember that the Lord is with me.^[f]
    He is here, close by my side,
    so nothing can defeat me.
⁹So my heart and soul will be very happy.
    Even my body will live in safety,
¹⁰because you will not leave me in the place of death.
    You will not let your faithful one rot in the grave.
¹¹You will teach me the right way to live.
    Just being with you will bring complete happiness.
    Being at your right side will make me happy forever.

A prayer of David.^[g]

17 Lord, hear my prayer for justice.
    I am calling loudly to you.
I am being honest in what I say,
    so please listen to my prayer.
²You will make the right decision,
    because you can see the truth.
³You were with me all night
    and looked deep into my heart.
You questioned me and found that
    I did not say or do anything wrong.
⁴Unlike most people, I have obeyed your commands,
    so I have never been like those who are cruel and evil.
⁵I have followed your way.
    My feet never left your path.
⁶Every time I call to you, God, you answer me.
    So listen to me now, and hear what I say.
⁷Show your amazing kindness
    and rescue those who depend on you.
Use your great power
    and protect them from their enemies.
⁸Protect me like the pupil^[h] of your eye.
    Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
⁹Save me from the wicked people who are trying to destroy me.
Protect me from those who come to hurt me.
¹⁰They think only of themselves
    and brag about what they will do.
¹¹They have been following me,
    and now they are all around me.
They watch me, waiting to throw me to the ground.
¹²Like hungry lions, they want to kill and eat.
    Like young lions, they hide, ready to attack.

¹³Lord, get up^[i] and face the enemy.
    Make them surrender.
    Use your sword and save me from these wicked people.
¹⁴Use your power, Lord,
    and remove them from this life.
But as for the people you treasure,
    fill them with food.
    Give them plenty for their children and their grandchildren.

¹⁵I have done only what is right, so I will see your face.
And seeing you,^[j] I will be fully satisfied.

Footnotes

Psalm 16:2 Some of you Literally, “you” (singular). Most translations assume it should be “I,” giving a different meaning to verses 2 and 3, which are very difficult in the Hebrew text.
Psalm 16:3 gods Literally, “holy ones.”
Psalm 16:6 share Or “section of land.”
Psalm 16:6 inheritance Here, this probably means the land each Israelite received.
Psalm 16:7 mind Literally, “my kidneys.”
Psalm 16:8 Literally, “I set the Lord before me always.”
Psalm 17:1 Psalm 17 A prayer of David Or “A prayer dedicated to David.”
Psalm 17:8 pupil The center of the eye, which everyone wants to protect.
Psalm 17:13 Lord, get up The people said this when they lifted the Box of the Agreement and took it into battle, showing that God was with them. See Num. 10:35-36.
Psalm 17:15 you Literally, “your likeness.”