Psalms 17

Vindication, Refuge, and Satisfaction in God’s Face

The psalm moves from an appeal for righteous vindication and divine examination, to a plea for kept steps and refuge under God’s wings, to a description of violent enemies, and finally to a contrast between worldly people satisfied with this life and David’s hope of satisfaction in God’s face.

World English Bible, Public Domain

Psalms 17:1–5

David appeals to the Righteous Judge to hear his just cause, inviting an inspection of his heart and paths as evidence of his integrity.

1 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

2 Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

4 As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

Psalms 17:6–9

David appeals to God’s specialized love to guard him as the apple of His eye and hide him under His wings from the surrounding wicked.

6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.

Psalms 17:10–12

The enemies of the righteous are callous, arrogant, and predatory, lurking like lions ready to destroy.

10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

Psalms 17:13–15

While the wicked find their treasure in this life, the righteous find their satisfaction in seeing God's face upon awakening.

13 Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;

14 from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

Key Terms

צֶדֶק tsedeq H6664
מִשְׁפָּט mishpat H4941
בָּחַן bachan H974
לֵב lev H3820
פֶּה peh H6310
אֹרַח orach H734
אָשֻׁר ashur H838
מוֹט mot H4131
חֶסֶד chesed H2617
יָשַׁע yasha H3467
חָסָה chasah H2620

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details