“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”
The statement that the speaker's mouth has not transgressed and has not gone astray from God's words establishes that the speaker has maintained integrity in speech. The emphasis on mouth suggests that the primary temptation is linguistic corruption but the speaker has resisted. The reference to keeping God's words suggests that the speaker has grounded his conduct in divine instruction. This verse emphasizes that moral integrity especially involves restraint in speech.
Church Fathers on Psalms 17:4
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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