Psalm 17
1Hear my plea of innocence, O Lord;
give heed to my cry; *
listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.
2Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
let your eyes be fixed on justice.
3Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
4I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *
I have heeded the words of your lips.
5My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
6I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
incline your ear to me and hear my words.
7Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *
O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
from those who rise up against them.
8Keep me as the apple of your eye; *
hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9From the wicked who assault me, *
from my deadly enemies who surround me.
10They have closed their heart to pity, *
and their mouth speaks proud things.
11They press me hard,
now they surround me, *
watching how they may cast me to the ground,
12Like a lion, greedy for its prey, *
and like a young lion lurking in secret places.
13Arise, O Lord; confront them and bring them down; *
deliver me from the wicked by your sword.
14Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand *
from those whose portion in life is this world;
15Whose bellies you fill with your treasure, *
who are well supplied with children
and leave their wealth to their little ones.
16But at my vindication I shall see your face; *
when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
A Collect for Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Image Credit: Wooden Box with Bronze Balance Scale, 500–600
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/473394
