Psalm 17 (WEB Text)
A Prayer by David.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Background and Context of Psalm 17
- Author:
Psalm 17 is attributed to King David. It is classified as a prayer, reflecting his trust in God amidst danger and injustice. - Genre:
It is a lament psalm, where the psalmist pleads for God’s intervention and protection against enemies. David prays earnestly, affirming his innocence and dependence on God. - Historical Context:
While no specific historical event is mentioned, it reflects the many occasions in David’s life when he faced threats, whether from King Saul, foreign enemies, or his son Absalom’s rebellion. - Themes:
- Divine Justice: David appeals to God’s fairness and omniscience, asking God to vindicate him based on his righteousness (v. 1-2).
- Protection: He pleads for safety, using tender imagery like “apple of your eye” and “shadow of your wings” (v. 8).
- Contrast of the Wicked and the Righteous: David describes the arrogance of his enemies (v. 10-12) and contrasts their focus on earthly wealth with his hope in eternal satisfaction in God (v. 14-15).
- Imagery:
David uses vivid pictures, such as “a lion lurking in secret places” (v. 12) for his enemies and “awake” to reflect resurrection hope (v. 15).
A Prayer Inspired by Psalm 17
Heavenly Father,
You are the God of righteousness and truth. Hear my plea, for my heart seeks Your justice. Test me, Lord, and guide me in Your paths so that my feet will not slip. Protect me as the apple of Your eye and hide me under the shadow of Your wings. Surround me with Your lovingkindness and deliver me from the schemes of the wicked.
Lord, my hope is not in earthly gain but in the joy of seeing Your face. May I wake each day with the confidence of Your presence and rest in the promise of eternal satisfaction in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 🙏
5 Questions to Test Understanding of Psalm 17
- What does David ask God to do in the opening verses of Psalm 17?
- What imagery does David use to describe God’s protection in verse 8?
- How does David describe his enemies, and what comparison does he use in verse 12?
- What contrast does David make between the wicked and himself in verses 14-15?
- How does Psalm 17 reflect David’s trust in God’s eternal justice and provision?
Is Psalm 17 Referenced in the New Testament?
While Psalm 17 is not explicitly quoted in the New Testament, its themes resonate deeply with Christian theology:
- Verse 15 (“I shall see your face in righteousness”) aligns with the New Testament hope of seeing God (Matthew 5:8, 1 John 3:2).
- The imagery of God’s protection (v. 8) echoes in passages like Matthew 23:37, where Jesus describes His desire to gather people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
Psalm 17’s reliance on God’s righteousness and eternal hope lays a foundation for Christ-centered teachings about ultimate deliverance and justice.