Psalms 17

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

David calls upon the Lord to hear his righteous prayer and examine his truthful words, seeking vindication from God's presence. He states that God has tested his heart at night, finding no evil, and notes that he has kept his steps on divine paths away from violent men. He asks God to show His steadfast love and protect him as the apple of His eye from surrounding mortal enemies who are arrogant and lie in wait like greedy lions. David urges the Lord to arise, confront these worldly adversaries, and deliver him by His sword and hand. Finally, he expresses his confidence that he will behold God's face in righteousness and be satisfied in His presence upon awakening.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit. ²May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right. ³You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth. ⁴As for the deeds of men— by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. ⁵My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped. ⁶I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words. ⁷Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes. ⁸Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings ⁹from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. ¹⁰They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance. ¹¹They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground, ¹²like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush. ¹³Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword, ¹⁴from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children. ¹⁵As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.