1 [[A Prayer H8605 of David.]] H1732 Hear H8085 the right, H6664 O LORD, H3068 attend H7181 unto my cry, H7440 give ear H238 unto my prayer, H8605 that goeth not H3808 out of feigned H4820 lips. H8193
2 Let my sentence H4941 come forth H3318 from thy presence; H6440 let thine eyes H5869 behold H2372 the things that are equal. H4339
3 Thou hast proved H974 mine heart; H3820 thou hast visited H6485 me in the night; H3915 thou hast tried H6884 me, and shalt find H4672 nothing; I am purposed H2161 that my mouth H6310 shall not transgress. H5674
4 Concerning the works H6468 of men, H120 by the word H1697 of thy lips H8193 I have kept H8104 me from the paths H734 of the destroyer. H6530
5 Hold up H8551 my goings H838 in thy paths, H4570 that my footsteps H6471 slip H4131 not.
6 I have called H7121 upon thee, for thou wilt hear H6030 me, O God: H410 incline H5186 thine ear H241 unto me, and hear H8085 my speech. H565
7 Shew thy marvellous H6395 lovingkindness, H2617 O thou that savest H3467 by thy right hand H3225 them which put their trust H2620 in thee from those that rise up H6965 against them.
8 Keep H8104 me as the apple H380 of the eye, H1323 H5869 hide H5641 me under the shadow H6738 of thy wings, H3671
9 From H6440 the wicked H7563 that H2098 oppress H7703 me, from my deadly H5315 enemies, H341 who compass me about. H5362
10 They are inclosed H5462 in their own fat: H2459 with their mouth H6310 they speak H1696 proudly. H1348
11 They have now compassed H5437 us in our steps: H838 they have set H7896 their eyes H5869 bowing down H5186 to the earth; H776
12 Like H1825 as a lion H738 that is greedy H3700 of his prey, H2963 and as it were a young lion H3715 lurking H3427 in secret places. H4565
13 Arise, H6965 O LORD, H3068 disappoint H6923 him, H6440 cast him down: H3766 deliver H6403 my soul H5315 from the wicked, H7563 which is thy sword: H2719
14 From men H4962 which are thy hand, H3027 O LORD, H3068 from men H4962 of the world, H2465 which have their portion H2506 in this life, H2416 and whose belly H990 thou fillest H4390 with thy hid H6840 treasure: they are full H7646 of children, H1121 and leave H3240 the rest H3499 of their substance to their babes. H5768
15 As for me, I will behold H2372 thy face H6440 in righteousness: H6664 I shall be satisfied, H7646 when I awake, H6974 with thy likeness. H8544
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 17
Commentary on Psalms 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 17
Ps 17:1-15. This Psalm is termed a prayer because the language of petition is predominant. With a just cause, sincerely presented, the writer prays for a just decision and help and protection. Pleading former mercies as a ground of hope, he urges his prayer in view of the malice, pride, rapacity, and selfishness of his foes, whose character is contrasted with his pious devotion and delight in God's favor.
2. sentence—acquitting judgment.
from thy presence—Thy tribunal.
things that are equal—just and right, do Thou regard.
3. proved … visited … tried—His character was most rigidly tested, at all times, and by all methods, affliction and others (Ps 7:10).
purposed that, &c.—or, my mouth does not exceed my purpose; I am sincere.
4. works of men—sinful practices.
by the word of thy lips—as a guide (Ps 119:9, 11, 95).
destroyer—violent man.
5. May be read as an assertion "my steps or goings have held on to Thy paths."
6. wilt hear me—that is, graciously (Ps 3:4).
7. Show—set apart as special and eminent (Ex 8:18; Ps 4:3).
thy right hand—for Thy power.
8. Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in His sight, in De 32:10, 11; Mt 23:37.
9. compass me—(compare Ps 118:10-12).
10. enclosed … fat—are become proud in prosperity, and insolent to God (De 32:15; Ps 73:7).
11. They pursue us as beasts tracking their prey.
12. The figure made more special by that of a lion lurking.
13-15. disappoint—literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Ps 17:13), and "hand" (Ps 17:14). These denote God's power.
14. men … world—all men of this present time. They appear, by fulness of bread and large families, to be prosperous; but (Ps 17:15) he implies this will be transient, contrasting his better portion in a joyful union with God hereafter.