An appeal against the enemy ; upon the ground of the personal perfection of Christ associating Himself with the people.

A Prayer of David.

Hear righteousness, Jehovah! attend unto my cry:give ear unto my prayer, from no deceitful lips.

2. Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence ! let Thine eyes behold things equal.

3. Thou hast tried my heart; Thou hast visited me by night; Thou hast assayed me; Thou findest nothing:my mouth does not exceed my thought.

4. As for works of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the violent.

5. My steps holding fast to Thy ways, my footsteps have not slipped.

6. I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God*:incline Thine ear unto me; hear my speech.

7. Distinguish Thy mercies; saving with Thy right hand those who take refuge in Thee from those rising up against them !

8. Preserve me as the apple of the eye! hide me in the shadow of Thy wings!

9. From the wicked that oppress me,-my enemies that with desire encircle me.

10. They are closed up in their own fat; with their mouth they speak proudly.

11. Now at our steps have they compassed us; their eyes they have fixed [on us] to bow [us] down upon the earth.

12. His likeness is of a lion greedy of prey; even as a young lion couching in the coverts.

13. Arise, Jehovah! anticipate him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked one, Thy sword,

14. From men, Thy hand, Jehovah,-from men of this world, whose portion is in [this] life, whose belly Thou fillest with Thy store; sons have they to the full, and leave their residue to their babes.

15. For me, in righteousness shall I behold Thy face:I shall be full, awaking in Thine image.

Text.-(3) "My mouth does not exceed my thought:" the translations differ greatly; some give as the A.V.; others, "Thou wilt not find in me [evil] thoughts; my mouth doth not transgress;" others, "My thought doth not go beyond my mouth."

(6) "God," when El, "Mighty," will be marked henceforth with an (*) asterisk.

(9) "Desire" is here nephesh, "soul, life:" translated by some, therefore, "deadly."

(11) Or, "have set their eyes, bowing down to the earth."

(13. 14) Some say, "[with] Thy sword," "[with] Thy hand."