Exaudi, Domine, justitiam. A just man's prayer in tribulation against the malice of his enemy.

[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. [2] Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable. [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. [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.

"[5] Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved. [6] I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words. [7] shew forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust in thee." [Psalms 16:5-7] URL: http://drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=21&ch=16&l=5-7#x Link: [<a href="http://drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=21&ch=16&l=5-7#x">Psalms 16:5-7</a>]

[8] From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings. [9] From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul: [10] They have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly.

[10] "Their fat": That is, their bowels of compassion: for they have none for me.

[11] They have cast me forth and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth. [12] They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a young lion dwelling in secret places. [13] Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul from the wicked one: thy sword [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. [15] But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.

[14] "Divide them from the few": 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.

[14] "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.