HolyStudy
Bible IndexRead BibleNotesChurchesMissionPrivacyTermsContact
© 2026 HolyStudy
HomeRead BibleBible NotesChurchesSign in
HolyStudy
HomeRead BibleBible NotesChurches
Sign in

Psalms 17

1

Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

2

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

3

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.

4

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

1
6

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9

From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11

They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12

Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13

Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14

From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

← Previous ChapterNext Chapter →

Psalms 17

Psalm 17 is a lament of confidence appealing to God for vindication against false accusers and for intimate communion, exemplifying the theological concerns of Book 1. The psalmist employs vivid imagery and direct address to God, establishing the intimate dialogue between worshiper and the divine that characterizes the psalmic tradition. The theological assertions center on God's character as both judge and redeemer, creating a comprehensive vision of divine justice and mercy integrated with human experience. The psalm reflects on both personal circumstance and communal identity, suggesting that individual faith finds validation through shared experience with the covenant community. The liturgical context indicates this psalm's function in worship where personal piety integrates with communal celebration of God's acts and attributes. The concluding movement typically affirms confidence in God's faithfulness, exemplifying the psalmic pattern of transformation through prayer and remembrance of divine acts throughout history.

Psalms 17:1

This prayer for protection opens with the plea hear a just cause, O Lord and attend to my cry, invoking divine attention to the speaker's protest of innocence. The mention of just cause suggests the speaker believes his case can withstand legal scrutiny and moral examination. The appeal for attention establishes that the speaker wants God to act as judge hearing the case before the divine court. This opening frames the psalm as legal proceeding where the speaker petitions God as judge and jury.

Psalms 17:2

The request that vindication come from God's presence and eyes behold what is right establishes God's judicial authority and perfect perception of truth. The mention of vindication emerging from God's presence suggests that God's verdict will declare the speaker righteous. The emphasis on beholding what is right suggests that God perceives truth that human observers might miss. This verse appeals to God's omniscience as ground for justice.

Psalms 17:3

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.

Psalms 17:4

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.

Psalms 17:5

The assertion that the speaker has held to God's paths and not let his feet slip establishes steady commitment to righteousness despite difficult circumstances. The path imagery suggests the way of life approved by God and the speaker's persistence in following it. The mention of not slipping suggests the difficulty of maintaining integrity and the speaker's triumph in doing so despite temptation. This verse emphasizes that righteousness requires active effort and sustained commitment.

Psalms 17:6

The appeal to God to hear the speaker's voice and tilt His ear toward the prayer invokes divine attentiveness and mercy. The plea to tilt the ear suggests that the speaker seeks not mere acknowledgment but genuine attention and engagement. The repetition of call for hearing emphasizes the speaker's desperation for God's intervention. This verse expresses the urgency of the petition and the speaker's need for divine response.

Psalms 17:7

The request to show marvelous lovingkindness by saving those who take refuge invokes God's characteristic covenant love as ground for deliverance. The marvelous quality of lovingkindness suggests that divine care exceeds normal expectation and operates through surprising grace. The mention of those who take refuge establishes that the speaker claims the status of one seeking asylum in God. This verse appeals to God's established character as justification for expected deliverance.

Psalms 17:8

The plea to keep the speaker as the apple of the eye and hide him in the shadow of wings invokes intimate divine care and protection. The apple of the eye imagery suggests extreme preciousness and careful vigilance, making the speaker God's most valued possession. The shadow of wings evokes maternal protection and the most secure hiding place possible. This verse expresses deep longing for divine intimacy and complete safety.

Psalms 17:9

The description of enemies who surround and seek to take the speaker's life establishes the specific threat prompting the prayer. The encirclement imagery suggests the speaker is trapped and under siege, making the danger acute. The explicit intent to take the life suggests that the enemies are predatory and motivated by destructive malice. This verse articulates the specific crisis that makes divine intervention necessary.

Psalms 17:10

The portrait of the wicked closing their hearts and speaking with arrogant pride establishes spiritual hardness and prideful defiance as characteristic of the enemies. The closed hearts suggest that the enemies cannot be moved by reason or appeal to conscience. The arrogant speech suggests that the enemies boast confidently in their power to harm the speaker. This verse emphasizes that the enemies are not merely unfortunate or mistaken but spiritually corrupt.

Psalms 17:11

The statement that the enemies surround the speaker and set their eyes to cast him to the ground establishes a coordinated assault aimed at complete humiliation. The fixed eyes suggest determined attention to the target and unwavering focus on accomplishing harm. The casting to the ground suggests the goal of complete degradation and defeat. This verse emphasizes the totality of the enemies' hostile intent.

Psalms 17:12

The comparison of the wicked to a lion eager to tear and a young lion crouching describes predatory ferocity and patient strategy. The lion imagery emphasizes the wicked's strength and inhuman savagery, making them more dangerous than human opponents. The crouching suggests that the wicked waits for the moment to strike, making the threat imminent. This verse portrays the enemies as fundamentally inhuman in their cruelty.

Psalms 17:13

The imperative to arise and confront the wicked and deliver the speaker invokes God to active intervention. The call to arise echoes the lament psalms and suggests rousing God to action. The command to confront establishes that God must engage the enemies directly rather than permitting them to proceed. This verse transitions from description of danger to invocation of divine action.

Psalms 17:14

The plea that God save the speaker by His hand from those whose portion in life is present and their belly filled with treasures and progeny portrays the enemies as materialistic and satisfied with earthly gain. The mention of hand suggests direct divine action. The description of the wicked's portion suggests that their reward is entirely temporal and limited to the present life. The reference to belly and treasures suggests glutinous materialism. This verse contrasts the wicked's earthly satisfaction with implicit suggestion that the speaker's reward lies elsewhere.

Psalms 17:15

The final affirmation that the speaker will behold God's face in righteousness and be satisfied upon waking seeing God's likeness establishes the ultimate vindication. The behold God's face imagery suggests intimate encounter and personal knowledge of the divine. The condition in righteousness suggests that vindication confirms the speaker's innocence. The mention of waking suggests either resurrection or awakening from the distress of sleep. This verse promises eschatological reunion with God and ultimate satisfaction.