Hear My Righteous Plea

The prayer begins with David asking to be heard because his lips are free from deceit and because his vindication must come from God's own presence. He submits himself to divine examination, insists that he has guarded himself from violent ways by God's word, and asks that his steps continue to hold fast without slipping.

A¹ prayer of David. ²May my vindication come from Your presence; ³You have tried my heart; ⁴As for the deeds of men — ⁵My steps have held to Your paths;

David then calls on the God who answers prayer to show covenant love and to guard him as the apple of the eye, hidden in the shadow of divine wings. The danger is concrete and merciless: the wicked surround him with hard hearts, proud mouths, and predator's eyes, stalking him like a lion eager to tear.

⁶I call on You, O God, ⁷Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, ⁸Keep me as the apple of Your eye; ⁹from the wicked who assail me, ¹⁰They have closed their callous hearts; ¹¹They have tracked us down, and now surround us; ¹²like a lion greedy for prey,

The psalm ends by asking the LORD to arise, confront the wicked, and rescue him from men whose treasure and fullness are confined to this present life. By contrast, David's hope is to behold God's face in righteousness and to be satisfied when he awakes in God's likeness.

¹³Arise, O LORD, confront them! ¹⁴from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— ¹⁵As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness;