Bible Commentaries
Psalms 17

Verse 1

17:1 [A Prayer of David.] Hear {a} the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips.

(a) My righteous cause.

Verse 2

17:2 Let my {b} sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

(b) The vengeance that you will show against my enemies.

Verse 3

17:3 Thou hast {c} proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my {d} mouth shall not transgress.

(c) When your Spirit examined my conscience.

(d) I was innocent toward my enemy both in deed and thought.

Verse 4

17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the {e} word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer.

(e) Though the wicked provoked me to do evil for evil, yet your word kept me back.

Verse 6

17:6 I have called upon thee, {f} for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and hear] my speech.

(f) He was assured that God would not refuse his request.

Verse 7

17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that {g} rise up [against them].

(g) For all rebel against you, who trouble your Church.

Verse 9

17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass {h} me about.

(h) For their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death.

Verse 10

17:10 They are inclosed in their own {i} fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

(i) They are puffed up with pride, as the stomach that is choked with fat.

Verse 13

17:13 Arise, O LORD, {k} disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword:

(k) Stop his rage.

Verse 14

17:14 From men [which are] thy {l} hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their {m} 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.

(l) By your heavenly power.

(m) And not feel the pain that God’s children often do.

Verse 15

17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face {n} in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I {o} awake, with thy likeness.

(n) This is the full happiness, comforting against all assaults to have the face of God and favourable countenance opened to us.

(o) And am delivered out of my great troubles.