Psalms 17:2-12

2 Let 1my judgment come forth from Your presence; Let Your eyes look with 2equity.
3 You have 3tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have 4tested me and 5You find nothing; I have 6purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 As for the deeds of men, 7by the word of Your lips I have kept from the 8paths of the violent.
5 My 9steps have held fast to Your paths. My 10feet have not slipped.
6 I have 11called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; 12Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.
7 13Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O 14Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the 15apple of the eye; Hide me 16in the shadow of Your wings
9 From the 17wicked who despoil me, My 18deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They have 19closed their unfeeling heart, With their mouth they 20speak proudly.
11 They have now 21surrounded us in our steps; They set their eyes 22to cast us down to the ground.
12 He is 23like a lion that is eager to tear, And as a young lion 24lurking in hiding places.

Psalms 17:2-12 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.

Cross References 24

  • 1. Psalms 103:6
  • 2. Psalms 98:9; Psalms 99:4
  • 3. Psalms 26:1, 2
  • 4. Job 23:10; Psalms 66:10; Zechariah 13:9; 1 Peter 1:7
  • 5. Jeremiah 50:20
  • 6. Psalms 39:1
  • 7. Psalms 119:9, 101
  • 8. Psalms 10:5-11
  • 9. Job 23:11; Psalms 44:18; Psalms 119:133
  • 10. Psalms 18:36; Psalms 37:31
  • 11. Psalms 86:7; Psalms 116:2
  • 12. Psalms 88:2
  • 13. Psalms 31:21
  • 14. Psalms 20:6
  • 15. Deuteronomy 32:10; Zechariah 2:8
  • 16. Ruth 2:12; Psalms 36:7; Psalms 57:1; Psalms 61:4; Psalms 63:7; Psalms 91:1, 4
  • 17. Psalms 31:20
  • 18. Psalms 27:12
  • 19. Job 15:27; Psalms 73:7
  • 20. 1 Samuel 2:3; Psalms 31:18; Psalms 73:8
  • 21. Psalms 88:17
  • 22. Psalms 37:14
  • 23. Psalms 7:2
  • 24. Psalms 10:9

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. I.e. vindication
  • [b]. Or "no evil device in me; My mouth"
  • [c]. Lit "tracks"
  • [d]. Or "from those who rise up...at Your right hand"
  • [e]. Lit "the pupil, the daughter of the eye"
  • [f]. Lit "fat"
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