Read Psalms chapter 17 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Psalms 17 is part of “Book I: The Genesis Book” (1–41) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 17 summary
David being in great distress and danger by the malice of his enemies, does, in this psalm, by prayer address himself to God, his tried refuge, and seeks shelter in him. I. He appeals to God concerning his integrity (Psa 17:1-4). II. He prays to God still to be upheld in his integrity and preserved from the malice of his enemies (Psa 17:5-8, Psa 17:13). III. He gives a character of his enemies, using that as a plea with God for his preservation (Psa 17:9-12, Psa 17:14). IV. He comforts himself with the hopes of his future happiness (Psa 17:15). Some make him, in this, a type of Christ, who was perfectly innocent, and yet was hated and persecuted, but, like David, committed himself and his cause to him that judgeth righteously.
A prayer of David.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 The prayer of Dauid. Heare the right, O Lord, consider my crye: hearken vnto my prayer of lips vnfained.
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence, and let thine eyes beholde equitie.
3 Thou hast prooued and visited mine heart in the night: thou hast tryed me, and foundest nothing: for I was purposed that my mouth should not offend.
4 Concerning the workes of men, by the wordes of thy lips I kept mee from the paths of the cruell man.
5 Stay my steps in thy paths, that my feete doe not slide.
6 I haue called vpon thee: surely thou wilt heare me, O God: incline thine eare to me, and hearken vnto my wordes.
7 Shewe thy marueilous mercies, thou that art the Sauiour of them that trust in thee, from such as resist thy right hand.
8 Keepe me as the apple of the eye: hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppresse mee, from mine enemies, which compasse me round about for my soule.
10 They are inclosed in their owne fat, and they haue spoken proudely with their mouth.
11 They haue compassed vs now in our steps: they haue set their eyes to bring downe to the ground:
12 Like as a lyon that is greedy of pray, and as it were a lyons whelp lurking in secret places.
13 Vp Lord, disappoint him: cast him downe: deliuer my soule from the wicked with thy sworde,
14 From men by thine hand, O Lord, from men of the world, who haue their portion in this life, whose bellies thou fillest with thine hid treasure: their children haue ynough, and leaue the rest of their substance for their children.
15 But I will beholde thy face in righteousnes, and when I awake, I shalbe satisfied with thine image.