#psalm 17

Hear My Righteous Plea

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.

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 enclosed 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. — Psalm 17 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Numbers 6:24; Deuteronomy 32:10; 1 Samuel 2:3; 1 Samuel 23:26; 2 Chronicles 6:40; Job 23:10-11; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 3:7; Psalm 4:1; Psalm 4:3; Psalm 6:4; Psalm 7:2; Psalm 9:4; Psalm 10:5; Psalm 10:9; Psalm 10:12; Psalm 18:30; Psalm 18:36; Psalm 27:12; Psalm 37:31; Psalm 88:17; Psalm 98:9; Psalm 99:4; Ecclesiastes 6:2; Matthew 13:15; Luke 16:25; Luke 21:20; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4

“With your hand, ADONAI, from human beings, from people whose portion in life is this world. You fill their stomachs with your treasure, their children will be satisfied too and will leave their wealth to their little ones. But my prayer, in righteousness, is to see your face; on waking, may I be satisfied with a vision of you.”

- Tehillim (Psalms) 17:14‭-‬15 CJB, 1998

“From men with Your hand, O LORD, From men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your treasure; They are satisfied with children, And leave their abundance to their babes. As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.”

Hear My Righteous Plea

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.

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 enclosed 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. — Psalm 17 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Numbers 6:24; Deuteronomy 32:10; 1 Samuel 2:3; 1 Samuel 23:26; 2 Chronicles 6:40; Job 23:10-11; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 3:7; Psalm 4:1; Psalm 4:3; Psalm 6:4; Psalm 7:2; Psalm 9:4; Psalm 10:5; Psalm 10:9; Psalm 10:12; Psalm 18:30; Psalm 18:36; Psalm 27:12; Psalm 37:31; Psalm 88:17; Psalm 98:9; Psalm 99:4; Ecclesiastes 6:2; Matthew 13:15; Luke 16:25; Luke 21:20; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4

Psalm 17 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (concise)

Key Passages in Psalm 17

The Prayer of an Innocent Person

1 I am innocent, LORD! Won't you listen as I pray and beg for help? I am honest! Please hear my prayer.

2 Only you can say that I am innocent, because only your eyes can see the truth.

3 You know my heart, and even during the night you have tested me and found me innocent. I have made up my mind never to tell a lie.

4 I don't do like others. I obey your teachings and am not cruel.

5 I have followed you, without ever stumbling.

6 I pray to you, God, because you will help me. Listen and answer my prayer!

7 Show your wonderful love. Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies.

8 Protect me as you would your very own eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

9 Don't let my brutal enemies attack from all sides and kill me.

10 They refuse to show mercy, and they keep bragging.

11 They have caught up with me! My enemies are everywhere, eagerly hoping to smear me in the dirt.

12 They are like hungry lions hunting for food, or like young lions hiding in ambush.

13 Do something, LORD! Attack and defeat them. Take your sword and save me from those evil people.

14 Use your powerful arm and rescue me from the hands of mere humans whose world won't last. You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren will have more than enough.

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

A Prayer of David.

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.

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.

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors

A Prayer of David.

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!    Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 2 From thee let my vindication come!    Let thy eyes see the right!

3 If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night,    if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me;    my mouth does not transgress. 4 With regard to the works of men, by the word of thy lips    I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to thy paths,    my feet have not slipped.

6 I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God;    incline thy ear to me, hear my words. 7 Wondrously show thy steadfast love,    O savior of those who seek refuge    from their adversaries at thy right hand.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye;    hide me in the shadow of thy wings, 9 from the wicked who despoil me,    my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hearts to pity;    with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 11 They track me down; now they surround me;    they set their eyes to cast me to the ground. 12 They are like a lion eager to tear,    as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Arise, O Lord! confront them, overthrow them!    Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword, 14 from men by thy hand, O Lord,    from men whose portion in life is of the world. May their belly be filled with what thou hast stored up for them;    may their children have more than enough;    may they leave something over to their babes.