Psalm 17:1-7

A Prayer for Protection

A Davidic prayer.

1 Lord, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer- from lips free of deceit.

2 Let my vindication come from You, [for] You see what is right.

3 You have tested my heart; You have visited by night; You have tried me and found nothing [evil];^[a] I have determined that my mouth will not sin.^[b]

4 Concerning what people do: by the word of Your lips^[c] I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5 My steps are on Your paths; my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on You, God, because You will answer me; listen closely to me; hear what I say.

7 Display the wonders of Your faithful love, Savior of all who seek refuge from those who rebel against Your right hand.^[d]

Psalm 17:1-7 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Ps 66:10; Jb 23:10; Zch 13:9
• [b] Or [evil]; my mouth will not sin
• [c] God's law
• [d] Or love, You who save with Your right hand those seeking refuge from adversaries