Psalms 17:3-13

3 If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night, if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.

4 With regard to the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

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

6 I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God; incline thy ear to me, hear my words.

7 Wondrously show thy steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at thy right hand.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of thy wings,

9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

11 They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.

12 They are like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Arise, O LORD! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword,

Psalms 17:3-13 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.