171 Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer, which is not out of feigned lips. 2 Let my judgment come forth from thy presence, let thine eyes regard equity. 3 Thou hast proved my heart, thou hast visited me by night; thou hast tried me, thou hast found nothing: my thought goeth not beyond my word. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept from the paths of the violent [man]. 5 When thou holdest my goings in thy paths, my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called upon thee, for thou answerest me, O God. Incline thine ear unto me, hear my speech. 7 Shew wondrously thy loving-kindnesses, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 17:1-7
Commentary on Psalm 17:1-7
(Read Psalm 17:1-7)
This psalm is a prayer. Feigned prayers are fruitless; but if our hearts lead our prayers, God will meet them with his favour. The psalmist had been used to pray, so that it was not his distress and danger that now first brought him to his duty. And he was encouraged by his faith to expect God would notice his prayers. Constant resolution and watchfulness against sins of the tongue, will be a good evidence of our integrity. Aware of man's propensity to wicked works, and of his own peculiar temptations, David had made God's word his preservative from the paths of Satan, which lead to destruction. If we carefully avoid the paths of sin, it will be very lead to destruction. If we carefully avoid the paths of sin, it will be very comfortable in the reflection, when we are in trouble. Those that are, through grace, going in God's paths, should pray that their goings may be held up in those paths. David prays, Lord, still hold me up. Those who would proceed and persevere in the ways of God, must, by faith prayer, get daily fresh supplies of grace and strength from him. Show thy marvellous loving-kindness, distinguishing favours, not common mercies, but be gracious to me; do as thou usest to do to those who love thy name.