6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.
6 I call to you, God, because I'm sure of an answer. So - answer! bend your ear! listen sharp!
6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, OÂ God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
2 Get down on my level and listen, and please - no procrastination! Your granite cave a hiding place, your high cliff aerie a place of safety.
2 Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me.
2 Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.
(Read Psalm 31:1-8)
Faith and prayer must go together, for the prayer of faith is the prevailing prayer. David gave up his soul in a special manner to God. And with the words, ver. 5, our Lord Jesus yielded up his last breath on the cross, and made his soul a free-will offering for sin, laying down his life as a ransom. But David is here as a man in distress and trouble. And his great care is about his soul, his spirit, his better part. Many think that while perplexed about their worldly affairs, and their cares multiply, they may be excused if they neglect their souls; but we are the more concerned to look to our souls, that, though the outward man perish, the inward man may suffer no damage. The redemption of the soul is so precious, that it must have ceased for ever, if Christ had not undertaken it. Having relied on God's mercy, he will be glad and rejoice in it. God looks upon our souls, when we are in trouble, to see whether they are humbled for sin, and made better by the affliction. Every believer will meet with such dangers and deliverances, until he is delivered from death, his last enemy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 17:6
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.