Psalm 17 (Exaudi, Domine, justitiam)

My suite is just, just Lord, to my suite hark,
I plaine: sweete Lord, my plaint for pitty mark.
And, since my lipps faine not to thee,
Thyne eares vouchsave to bend to me.

O, let my sentence passe from thine own face:
Shew that thine eyes respect a faithfull case,
Thou that by proofe accquainted art
With inward secretts of my hart.

Where silent Night might seeme all faultes to hide,
Then was I, by thy searching insight tride:
And then by thee, was guiltlesse found
From ill word, and ill meaning sound.

Not waighing ought how fleshly fancies runn,
Ledd by thy word, the rav'ners stepps I shun;
And pray that still you guide my way,
Least yet I slipp, or goe astray.

I say againe that I have cal'd on thee,
And boldly saie thou wilt give eare to me:
And let my wordes, my cries ascend,
Which to thy self my soule will send.

Show then, O Lord, thy wondrous kindnesse show:
Make us in mervailes of thy mercy know,
That thou by faithfull men wilt stand,
And save them from rebellious hand.

Then keepe me as the apple of an ey:
In thy wings shade then lett me hidden ly,
From my destroyeng wicked foes,
Who for my death do me enclose.

Their eies doe swim me, their face doth shine in fatt,
And cruell wordes their swelling tongues do chatt;
And yet their high hartes looke so low
As how to watch our overthrow.

Now like a lion, gaping to make praies,
Now like his whelpe, in denne, that lurking staies:
Up, Lord, prevent those gaping jawes,
And bring to naught those watching pawes.

Save me from them, thou usest as thy blade;
From men, I say, and from mens worldly trade:
Whose life doth seeme most greatly blest,
And count this life their portion best.

Whose bellies soe with dainties thou dost fill,
And soe with hidden treasures graunt their will:
That they in riches floorish doe,
And children have to leave it to.

What would they more? And I would not their case:
My joy shal be pure; to enjoy thy face,
When waking of this sleepe of mine,
I shall see thee in likenesse thine.