“Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
The assertion that God has tested the heart and examined the speaker at night and found nothing establishes that the speaker has submitted to divine scrutiny and been found innocent. The testing imagery suggests that God has investigated thoroughly, trying the speaker as refiner tries precious metal. The mention of night suggests the most intimate examination when the speaker believes himself alone and unguarded. The finding of nothing suggests complete vindication. This verse appeals to the results of God's investigation in support of the speaker's claim.
Church Fathers on Psalms 17:3
A prayer of David himself. 1. This prayer must be assigned to the Person of the Lord, with the addition of the Church, which is His body. 2. “Hear My righteousness, O God, consider My supplication” Psalm 16:1. “Hearken unto My prayer, not in deceitful lips:” not going forth to You in deceitful lips. “Let My judgment from Your countenance go forth” Psalm 16:2. From the enlightening of the knowledge of You, let Me judge truth. Or at least, let My judgment go forth, not in…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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