BibleInTonguesWEB
Psalms 17
Headed simply "A Prayer," this plea rests on an unusual claim: God has tested David in the night and "found nothing" (v.3). On that integrity he asks for rescue, and reaches for two of Scripture's tenderest images — "the apple of your eye" and "the shadow of your wings" (v.8). The enemy is drawn as a stalking lion (v.12), and the prayer closes with a sharp contrast: men "whose portion is in this life" (v.14) against David's own hope — to "see your face" and be satisfied "when I awake" (v.15).
- 1
Hear, LORD, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
- 2
Let my sentence come out of 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 deeds 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.
- 8
Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
- 9
from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
- 10
They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
- 11
They have now surrounded 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, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
- 13
Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
- 14
from men by your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.
- 15
As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
Two portions, two futures
Verses 14-15 set the whole psalm's stakes side by side. The adversaries are well-fed and pass wealth to their children, but their share is bounded by "this life"; David claims a different inheritance.
His closing line — being satisfied "when I awake" with seeing God's form (v.15) — answers their full bellies with a hope that outlasts the present, the same waking-to-God note that echoes through these psalms.
Context layers
Keep these closed by default and open them only when you want more context.
Share a small range via:
/en/web/psalms/17/16-18
Or use the Passage link builder.