171 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea;
Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence.
Let your eyes look on equity. 3 You have proved my heart.
You have visited me in the night.
You have tried me, and found nothing.
I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey. 4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to your paths.
My feet have not slipped. 6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God.
Turn your ear to me.
Hear my speech. 7 Show your marvelous loving kindness,
you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
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.