1 > Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence; Let your eyes look on equity.
3 You have proved my heart; you have visited me in the night; You have tried me, and found nothing; I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths, My feet have not slipped.
6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God: Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, You who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me, My deadly enemies, who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, As it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, Yahweh, Confront him, cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
14 From men by your hand, Yahweh, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, And they store up wealth for their children.
15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
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.