Psalm 17:1-6

Listen to Psalm 17:1-6

In the Shadow of Your Wings

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; 1attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence 2let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!
3 You have 3tried my heart, you have 4visited me by 5night, you have 6tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have 7held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
6 I 8call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 9incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Psalm 17:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 17

\\<>\\. This prayer was put up by David either in his own person, on his own account, praying to God for the vindication of his cause, and for salvation and deliverance from his enemies; or in the person of the Messiah, whose type he was, and of the whole church, so Jerom of old interpreted it; and the title of it in the Arabic version is, ``a prayer in the person of a perfect man, and of Christ himself, and of everyone that is redeemed by him;'' in which preservation and protection are prayed for, and hope of eternal life is expressed. It was written, according to Theodoret, when David suffered persecution from Saul.

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Cross References 9

  • 1. 17:1 Ps. 142:6; [Ps. 61:1; Jer. 7:16]
  • 2. 17:2 [Ps. 26:1]
  • 3. 17:3 See Job 23:10
  • 4. 17:3 Job 31:14
  • 5. 17:3 Ps. 16:7; [Job 33:15]
  • 6. 17:3 Judg. 7:4; Zech. 13:9; 1 Pet. 1:7; [Ps. 139:1; Mal. 3:2, 3]
  • 7. 17:5 Job 23:11; [Ps. 44:18]
  • 8. 17:6 Ps. 86:6, 7; 116:1, 2
  • 9. 17:6 See Ps. 31:2
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025