Psalms 17
Psalms 17 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Psalms 17 continues the story of Psalms, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Collection of songs by various authors including David (1000–500 BC). Addresses worship, lament, and praise.
Psalms 17: KJV Commentary and Summary
1 A Prayer of David. 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.
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Psalms 17:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Psalms 17:8 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Psalms 17:15 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.