Psalm 17

1 Hearken, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not uttered with deceitful lips.

2 Let my judgment come forth from thy presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.

3 Thou has proved mine heart; thou hast visited me by night; thou hast tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: I am purposed that my mouth shall not speak amiss.

4 As for the works of men, by the words of thy lips I have guarded myself from hard ways.

5 Direct my steps in thy paths, that my steps slip not.

6 I have cried, for thou heardest me, O God: incline thine ear to me, and hearken to my words.

7 Shew the marvels of thy mercies, thou that savest them that hope in thee.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye from those that resist thy right hand: thou shalt screen me by the covering of thy wings,

9 from the face of the ungodly that have afflicted me: mine enemies have compassed about my soul.

10 They have enclosed themselves with their own fat: their mouth has spoken pride.

11 They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes so as to bow them down to the ground.

12 They laid wait for me as a lion ready for prey, and like a lion’s whelp dwelling in secret places.

13 Arise, O Lord, prevent them, and cast them down: deliver my soul from the ungodly: draw thy sword,

14 because of the enemies of thine hand: O Lord, destroy them from the earth; scatter them in their life, though their belly has been filled with thy hidden treasures: they have been satisfied with uncleanness, and have left the remnant of their possessions to their babes.

15 But I shall appear in righteousness before thy face: I shall be satisfied when thy glory appears.

Psalm 17 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.