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Psalms 17

KJV · Chapter 17/150

1Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

2Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

David asks God to examine his heart and confirm his integrity before cruel accusers, comparing them to lions ready to attack, and asks for protection 'as the apple of the eye.'

Explanation

The psalm is a prayer from someone who feels unjustly persecuted and appeals to his own integrity as examined by God — not out of arrogance, but out of confidence that he acted with sincerity. The image 'keep me as the apple of the eye' (the pupil, the most sensitive and protected part of the body) has become one of the best-known biblical expressions for asking for maximum protection. The psalm ends with a hope that reaches beyond the present life: 'I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness,' suggesting an expectation of full encounter with God beyond this life.

Fun facts

  • The expression 'apple of the eye' also appears in Deuteronomy 32:10 and Zechariah 2:8, always related to the extreme protection God offers to those He loves.
  • The Hebrew word for 'apple of the eye' (ishon) literally means 'little man,' referring to the tiny reflection of a person seen in another's pupil — hence the image of intimacy and care.

Verse-by-verse explanation

  1. Psalms 17:1The psalm opens asking God to listen, taking care to stress that the prayer comes without deceit, spoken in sincerity and not just from the lips.
  2. Psalms 17:2He asks that the judgment on his case come directly from God's presence, trusting that a watchful eye will recognize what is right.
  3. Psalms 17:3It describes a thorough examination: God has already tested his heart even at night, when no one else is watching, and still found no ground for accusation.
  4. Psalms 17:4It explains how he managed to stay clear of violence: it was by following God's instructions that he avoided going down the paths of the destroyer.
  5. Psalms 17:5He asks that this same guidance continue: directing his steps so that he does not stumble or wander from the right path.
  6. Psalms 17:6It repeats the request for attention, but now with a confidence already demonstrated: he calls on God precisely because he knows he will be heard.
  7. Psalms 17:7He asks that God's lovingkindness show itself in a visible, extraordinary way, the kind that has already delivered those who trust in Him from powerful adversaries.
  8. Psalms 17:8The apple of the eye is the pupil, the most sensitive and protected part of the body; the shadow of the wings recalls a bird covering its young with its own feathers. Together the two images ask for the most delicate and complete protection there is.
  9. Psalms 17:9It specifies from whom he needs protection: these aren't just any rivals, they're enemies surrounding him on every side with intent to kill.
  10. Psalms 17:10It describes the enemies as people grown fat from abundance, and shielded by that prosperity, they speak with utter arrogance.
  11. Psalms 17:11It shows the enemies already closing in, their eyes fixed on the ground searching for the victim, like someone about to strike.
  12. Psalms 17:12Again the image of the lurking lion, common in psalms of lament to describe enemies: a silent predator waiting for the moment to attack someone unprotected.
  13. Psalms 17:13He asks that God rise up and personally confront the wicked, as though wielding His own sword to rescue the psalmist from danger.
  14. Psalms 17:14It's a difficult verse: it seems to acknowledge that the wicked enemies have wealth and abundance in this life, even though they are evil. The psalmist contrasts this with his own hope, in the next verse, of seeing God's face, saying he prefers something else entirely.
  15. Psalms 17:15The psalm closes in contrast to the enemies satisfied with earthly wealth in the previous verse: his true satisfaction is to awake and behold God's face.

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