> [[psalm-16|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-18|Next →]] --- # Psalm 17 ## Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors 1 A prayer of David. ^psalm-17-1 ### I Hear, LORD, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry; Listen to my prayer from lips without guile. 2 From you let my vindication come; ^psalm-17-2 your eyes see what is right. 3 You have tested my heart, ^psalm-17-3 searched it in the night. You have tried me by fire, but find no malice in me. My mouth has not transgressed 4 as others often do. ^psalm-17-4 As your lips have instructed me, I have kept from the way of the lawless. 5 My steps have kept to your paths; ^psalm-17-5 my feet have not faltered. ### II 6 I call upon you; answer me, O God. ^psalm-17-6 Turn your ear to me; hear my speech. 7 Show your wonderful mercy, ^psalm-17-7 you who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; ^psalm-17-8 hide me in the shadow of your wings 9 from the wicked who despoil me. ^psalm-17-9 ### III My ravenous enemies press upon me; 10 they close their hearts, ^psalm-17-10 they fill their mouths with proud roaring. 11 Their steps even now encircle me; ^psalm-17-11 they watch closely, keeping low to the ground, 12 Like lions eager for prey, ^psalm-17-12 like a young lion lurking in ambush. 13 Rise, O LORD, confront and cast them down; ^psalm-17-13 rescue my soul from the wicked. 14 Slay them with your sword; ^psalm-17-14 with your hand, LORD, slay them; snatch them from the world in their prime. Their bellies are being filled with your friends; their children are satisfied too, for they share what is left with their young. 15 I am just—let me see your face; ^psalm-17-15 when I awake, let me be filled with your presence. \* (Psalm 17) A lament of an individual unjustly attacked. Confident of being found innocent, the psalmist cries out for God’s just judgment (([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:1] – [5]) and requests divine help against enemies (([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:6] – [9a]). Those ravenous lions (([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:9b] – [12]) should be punished (([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:13] – [14]). The Psalm ends with a serene statement of praise (([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:15]). The Hebrew text of ([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:3] – [4], [14] is uncertain. \* (17:8) Apple of your eye…shadow of your wings: images of God’s special care, cf. [Dt 32:10]; [Prv 7:2]; [Is 49:2]. \* (17:10] – [12], [14) An extended metaphor: the enemies are lions. a. (17:3) ([[psalm-26|Ps 26]]:2]; [139:23]. b. (17:5) ([[psalm-18|Ps 18]]:36]; [Jb 23:11] – [12]. c. (17:9] – [12) ([[psalm-10|Ps 10]]:9]; [22:14], [22]; [35:17]; [58:7]; [Jb 4:10] – [11]. d. (17:9) [Ps 36:8]; [57:2]; [61:5]; [63:8]; [91:4]; [Dt 32:10]; [Ru 2:12]; [Zec 2:12]; ([[matthew-23|Mt 23]]:37]. e. (17:15) ([[psalm-04|Ps 4]]:7]; [31:17]; [67:2]; [80:4]; [Nm 6:25]; [Dn 9:17]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-16|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-18|Next →]]