Psalm 17 — Hope in Righteousness — Reading the Psalms

A Prayer of David.

1 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 look upon equity.
3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night;
Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing;
I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips
I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to thy paths,
My feet have not slipped.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God:
Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest them which put their trust in thee
From those that rise up against them, by thy right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye,
Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that spoil me,
My deadly enemies, that compass me about.
10 They are enclosed in their own fat:
With their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed 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,
And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O LORD,
Confront him, cast him down:
Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword;
14 From men, by thy hand, O LORD,
From men of the world, whose portion is in this life,
And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure:
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

David continues his prayer about his heart and behavior with God in this petition for help and deliverance. We see him write off of his own good behavior in contest with the wicked, but it is no mere boast. It is a demonstration of the difference between those who put their trust in God with those whose hearts are enclosed in fat.

It is true that David describes his good deeds and behavior in this psalm, but it is no measure of his worth. It is rather a demonstration of his effort to put his trust in the Lord. Indeed, if David was proud of his own accomplishments, he’d have no need to trust in God or seek his salvation. This psalm beautifully ties the complex ideas of obedience and faith together in a relatable way.

In contrast with himself, the wicked seek no one but themselves for their own good. Enclosing their heart in fat, they feel no remorse for those they consume, nor do they feel awe before God. With a mouth full of pride one cannot honor God.

David prays that God’s judgment will be just. This ought to be our prayer, too. Remembering, as always, our ever present need for God’s mercy.