Psalms 17:1-11

1 <> Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.

2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence; Let your eyes look on equity.

3 You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; You have tried me, and found nothing; I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to your paths, My feet have not slipped.

6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God: Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

7 Show your marvelous lovingkindness, You who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

9 From the wicked who oppress me, My deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

Psalms 17:1-11 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.