Psalms 17:1-6

A prayer of David.

1 Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.
3 Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.
4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Psalms 17:1-6 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 15

  • 1. Psalms 30:10; Psalms 64:1; Psalms 80:1; Psalms 140:6
  • 2. Psalms 5:2; Psalms 39:12; Psalms 142:6; Psalms 143:1; Psalms 61:1
  • 3. S Psalms 5:1
  • 4. Isaiah 29:13
  • 5. Psalms 24:5; Psalms 26:1; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 50:8-9; Isaiah 54:17
  • 6. Psalms 99:4
  • 7. Psalms 139:1; Jeremiah 12:3
  • 8. S Job 7:18; Psalms 26:2; Psalms 66:10
  • 9. Job 23:10; Jeremiah 50:20
  • 10. Psalms 39:1
  • 11. Job 23:11; Psalms 44:18; Psalms 119:133
  • 12. Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalms 73:2; Psalms 121:3; Psalms 18:36
  • 13. Psalms 86:7
  • 14. Psalms 116:2
  • 15. S Psalms 4:1; Psalms 88:2
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