171 A Prayer of David. Hear, O Jehovah, righteousness, attend my cry, Give ear 'to' my prayer, without lips of deceit. 2 From before thee my judgment doth go out; Thine eyes do see uprightly. 3 Thou hast proved my heart, Thou hast inspected by night, Thou hast tried me, Thou findest nothing; My thoughts pass not over my mouth. 4 As to doings of man, Through a word of Thy lips I have observed The paths of a destroyer; 5 To uphold my goings in Thy paths, My steps have not slidden. 6 I—I called Thee, for Thou dost answer me, O God, incline Thine ear to me, hear my speech. 7 Separate wonderfully Thy kindness, O Saviour of the confiding, By Thy right hand, from withstanders.
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.