Beholding God’s Face (Psalm 17:1-15)

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! ² From Your presence let my vindication come! Let Your eyes behold the right! ³ You have tried my heart, You have visited me by night, You have tested me, and You will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. ⁴ With regard to the works of man, by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. ⁵ My steps have held fast to Your paths; my feet have not slipped. ⁶ I call upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my words. ⁷Wondrously show Your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Your right hand. ⁸Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings, ⁹ from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. ¹⁰ They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. ¹¹ They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. ¹² He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. ¹³ Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword, ¹⁴ from men by Your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants. ¹⁵ As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your likeness.