Psalms 17 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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.
PSALM 17
Psa 17:1-15. This Psalm is termed a prayer because the language of petition is predominant. With a just cause, sincerely presented, the writer prays for a just decision and help and protection. Pleading former mercies as a ground of hope, he urges his prayer in view of the malice, pride, rapacity, and selfishness of his foes, whose character is contrasted with his pious devotion and delight in God's favor.
2. sentence--acquitting judgment.
from thy presence--Thy tribunal.
things that are equal--just and right, do Thou regard.
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.
3. proved ... visited ... tried--His character was most rigidly tested, at all times, and by all methods, affliction and others (Psa 7:10).
purposed that, &c.--or, my mouth does not exceed my purpose; I am sincere.
4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
4. works of men--sinful practices.
by the word of thy lips--as a guide (Psa 119:9, 11, 95).
destroyer--violent man.
5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
5. May be read as an assertion "my steps or goings have held on to Thy paths."
6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
6. wilt hear me--that is, graciously (Psa 3:4).
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.
7. Show--set apart as special and eminent (Ex 8:18; Psa 4:3).
thy right hand--for Thy power.
8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
8. Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in His sight, in De 32:10, 11; Mt 23:37.
9From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
9. compass me--(compare Psa 118:10-12).
10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
10. enclosed ... fat--are become proud in prosperity, and insolent to God (De 32:15; Psa 73:7).
11They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
11. They pursue us as beasts tracking their prey.
12Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
12. The figure made more special by that of a lion lurking.
13Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
13-15. disappoint--literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Psa 17:13), and "hand" (Psa 17:14). These denote God's power.
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.
13-15. disappoint--literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Psa 17:13), and "hand" (Psa 17:14). These denote God's power.
15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
13-15. disappoint--literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Psa 17:13), and "hand" (Psa 17:14). These denote God's power.