Exaudi, Domine, justitiam.
A just man’s prayer in tribulation against the malice of his enemy.
16:1. The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my
supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from
deceitful lips.
16:2. Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes
behold the things that are equitable.
16:3. Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night, thou hast
tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.
16:4. That my mouth may not speak the works of men: for the sake of the
words of thy lips, I have kept hard ways.
16:5. Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not
moved.
16:6. I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline
thy ear unto me, and hear my words.
16:7. Shew forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust
in thee.
16:8. From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy
eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.
16:9. From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies
have surrounded my soul:
16:10. They have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly.
Their fat.... That is, their bowels of compassion: for they have none
for me.
16:11. They have cast me forth, and now they have surrounded me: they
have set their eyes bowing down to the earth.
16:12. They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a
young lion dwelling in secret places.
16:13. Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul
from the wicked one; thy sword
16:14. From the enemies of thy hand. O Lord, divide them from the few
of the earth in their life: their belly is filled from thy hidden
stores. They are full of children: and they have left to their little
ones the rest of their substance.
Divide them from the few, etc.... That is, cut them off from the earth,
and the few trifling things thereof; which they are so proud of, or
divide them from the few; that is, from thy elect, who are but few;
that they may no longer have it in their power to oppress them. It is
not meant by way of a curse or imprecation; but, as many other the like
passages in the psalms, by way of a prediction, or prophecy of what
should come upon them, in punishment of their wickedness. Ibid. Thy
hidden stores.... Thy secret treasures, out of which thou furnishest
those earthly goods, which, with a bountiful hand thou hast distributed
both to the good and the bad.
16:15. But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I
shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.