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.