Exaudi Domine. Ps. 17. T.S.

1 O Lord give ear to my just cause,
attend when I complain:
And hear the prayer that I put forth
with lips that do not faine.

2 And let the judgment of my cause
proceed always from thee:
And let thine eyes behold and clear
this my simplicity.

3 Thou hast well tried me in the night,
and yet couldst nothing find,
That I have spoken with my tongue,
that was not in my mind.

4 As for the works of wicked men,
and paths perverse and ill,
For love of thy most holy word,
I have refrained still.

5 Then in the paths that be most pure,
stay me Lord and preserve:
That from the way wherein I walk
my steps may never swerve.

6 For I do call to thee O Lord,
surely thou wilt me aid:
Then hear my prayer, and weigh right well
the words that I have said.

7 O thou the Savior of all them
that put their trust in thee:
Declare thy strength on them that spurn
against thy majesty.

8 O keep me Lord, as thou wouldst keep
the apple of thine eye:
And under covert of thy wings
defend me secretly.

9 From wicked men that trouble me,
and daily me annoy:
And from my foes that go about
my soul for to destroy.

10 Which wallow in their worldly wealth,
so full and eke so fat:
That in their pride they do not spare
to speak they care not what.

11 They lie in wait where I should pass,
with craft me to confound:
And musing michiefs in their minds,
to cast me on the ground,

12 Much like the Lion greedily
that would his prey embrace:
Or lurking like a lion’s whelp
within some secret place.

13 Up Lord with haste prevent my foe,
and cast him at my feet:
Save thou my soul from the ill man,
and with the sword him smite.

14 Deliver me Lord by thy power,
out of these tyrants’ hands:
Which now so long time reigned have
and kept us in their bands.

15 I mean from worldly men, to whom
all worldly goods are rise:
That have no hope or part of joy,
but in this present life,

16 Thou of thy store their bellies fill’st
with pleasure to their mind:
Their children have enough, and leave
to their the rest behind.

17 But I shall with pure conscience,
behold thy gracious face:
So when I wake I shall be full
of thine image and grace.