Skip to content

David

Psalm 17

A Prayer of David.

Play PsalmReady
Share:

Scripture (KJV)

1Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

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

3Thou 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.

4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7Shew 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.

8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

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

13Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14From 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.

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

Summary

Psalm 17 is a prayer of vindication from a clear conscience. David asks God to hear his cry, which comes from sincere, not feigned, lips. He invites God’s scrutiny: "Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing." David is not claiming sinless perfection but integrity of purpose—he has resolved that his mouth will not transgress and has kept himself from the paths of the destroyer by the word of God’s lips. He asks God to hold up his steps so his foot does not slip.

The psalm then turns to a plea for protection. David asks God to show His marvellous lovingkindness, to keep him as the apple of the eye, and to hide him under the shadow of His wings. His enemies are enclosed in their own fat, speaking proudly, prowling like lions greedy for prey. The closing verses are among the most beautiful in the Psalter. While the wicked have their portion in this life—filled with hidden treasure, full of children, leaving wealth to their heirs—David’s portion is utterly different: "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." The major themes are integrity, vindication, protection, lovingkindness, and the hope of seeing God. Practically, the psalm teaches that a clear conscience gives boldness to pray, and that the believer’s ultimate satisfaction is not earthly treasure but the likeness of God. The great lesson is that those who seek God’s face will be satisfied with His likeness when they awake.

Key Themes

A Prayer from Psalm 17

Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, and give ear to my prayer from sincere lips. Prove my heart, visit me in the night, and try me. I purpose that my mouth shall not transgress. Hold up my goings in Your paths, that my footsteps slip not. Keep me as the apple of Your eye and hide me under the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who oppress me. Arise, O LORD, disappoint the enemy and deliver my soul. Let not my portion be only in this life, but as for me, let me behold Your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Your likeness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions

  1. 1Could I invite God to prove my heart and find nothing amiss in my purpose?
  2. 2What does it mean to be kept as the "apple of the eye" under God’s wings?
  3. 3How does David’s contrast between earthly treasure and beholding God’s face speak to me?
  4. 4What would it mean to be "satisfied, when I awake, with Your likeness"?

Related Psalms

Support BookofPsalms.org

If you find BookofPsalms.org helpful and would like to support the website, you may make a voluntary contribution through PayPal. Your support helps pay for the operation, hosting, maintenance, development, content, security, and continued improvement of BookofPsalms.org.

Independent Website & Contribution Disclosure

BookofPsalms.org is an independently operated, privately owned website. BookofPsalms.org is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or operated by any church, denomination, ministry, religious organization, charity, or nonprofit organization.

All funds contributed through BookofPsalms.org are received by the privately owned company that operates the website. Funds may be used by the company to support website hosting, maintenance, development, content creation, administration, advertising, technology, and other business and operating expenses.

Contributions are voluntary and are NOT tax-deductible charitable donations. BookofPsalms.org does not represent contributions as charitable donations or contributions to a nonprofit, church, ministry, or tax-exempt religious organization.

Receive weekly Psalms and prayers

A gentle Psalm, an original prayer, and a short reflection—delivered once a week.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.