You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth. You have examined my heartThis phrase speaks to the intimate and thorough scrutiny of God. The Hebrew word for "examined" is "bachan," which means to test, investigate, or scrutinize. It implies a deep, penetrating examination that goes beyond surface appearances. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was considered the seat of thought, emotion, and will. Thus, the psalmist acknowledges that God has a profound understanding of his innermost being. This examination is not merely for judgment but also for understanding and guidance, reflecting God's role as a loving and just Father who knows His children completely. You have visited me in the night
The phrase "visited me in the night" suggests a time of vulnerability and solitude. In biblical times, the night was often associated with danger, fear, and introspection. The Hebrew word "paqad" for "visited" can mean to attend to, care for, or inspect. This indicates that God's presence is constant, even in the darkest and most solitary moments. The night can symbolize times of trial or uncertainty, yet the psalmist finds comfort in knowing that God is actively present, providing protection and insight. You have tested me and found no evil
Here, the word "tested" comes from the Hebrew "tsaraph," which means to refine or purify, like a metal in a furnace. This process of testing is not to harm but to purify and strengthen. The psalmist expresses confidence that through God's refining process, no evil or wickedness is found in him. This reflects a life lived in integrity and righteousness, aligning with God's standards. It is a testament to the transformative power of God's presence and the psalmist's commitment to living a life pleasing to God. I have resolved not to sin with my mouth
The resolution "not to sin with my mouth" highlights the importance of speech in the biblical worldview. Words have power, and the psalmist is aware of the potential for sin through careless or harmful speech. The Hebrew word "pashar" for "resolved" indicates a deliberate and conscious decision. This commitment to purity in speech reflects a heart aligned with God's will, understanding that words can build up or destroy. It is a call to self-discipline and a reminder of the responsibility to use one's words to honor God and edify others. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this Psalm, David is expressing his confidence in God's examination of his heart and his commitment to righteousness. 2. GodThe one who examines, visits, and tests David, demonstrating His omniscience and intimate involvement in the lives of His people. 3. The NightSymbolic of times of vulnerability and introspection, where God’s presence and examination are keenly felt. Teaching Points God's Omniscience and IntimacyGod knows our innermost thoughts and intentions. We should live with the awareness that nothing is hidden from Him. Integrity in Private and Public LifeLike David, we should strive for integrity, ensuring our private life aligns with our public declarations of faith. The Power of the TongueOur words have significant power. We must resolve, like David, to guard our speech and ensure it aligns with righteousness. The Role of Testing in Spiritual GrowthGod’s testing is not to harm but to refine and strengthen our faith. Embrace trials as opportunities for growth. Night as a Time for ReflectionUse quiet times, especially at night, for reflection and prayer, inviting God to examine and guide your heart. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding that God examines our hearts influence your daily actions and decisions? 2. In what ways can you ensure that your private life reflects the same integrity as your public life? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt tested by God. How did that experience contribute to your spiritual growth? 4. How can you practically guard your speech to ensure it aligns with your commitment to righteousness? 5. What practices can you incorporate into your nightly routine to invite God’s examination and guidance? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 139:23-24This passage echoes the theme of God searching and knowing the heart, inviting God to test and lead in the way everlasting. Job 23:10Job speaks of God testing him and emerging as gold, similar to David’s confidence in being found without evil. James 3:2This New Testament verse highlights the importance of controlling one's speech, aligning with David’s resolve that his mouth will not sin. People David, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Beyond, Disobey, Evil, Examine, Findest, Hast, Heart, Inspected, Mouth, Nothing, Pass, Probe, Proved, Purpose, Purposed, Resolved, Searching, Sin, Test, Tested, Testest, Though, Thoughts, Transgress, Tried, Triest, Visited, Visitest, Wickedness, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 17:3 5549 speech, positive
8319 perception, spiritual
8339 self-control
8832 testing Library The Two Awakings
'I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.' --PSALM xvii. 15. 'As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when Thou awakest, Thou shalt despise their image.'--PSALM lxxiii. 20. Both of these Psalms are occupied with that standing puzzle to Old Testament worthies--the good fortune of bad men, and the bad fortune of good ones. The former recounts the personal calamities of David, its author. The latter gives us the picture of the perplexity of Asaph its writer, when he 'saw the prosperity …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Hope of Future Bliss
In looking at this passage to-night, we shall notice first of all, the spirit of it; secondly, the matter of it; and then, thirdly, we shall close by speaking of the contrast which is implied in it. I. First, then, the SPIRIT OF THIS UTTERANCE, for I always love to look at the spirit in which a man writes, or the spirit in which he preaches; in fact, there is vastly more in that than in the words he uses. Now, what should you think is the spirit of these words? "As for me, I will behold thy face …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 Mysterious visits.
AN ADDRESS TO A LITTLE COMPANY AT THE COMMUNION TABLE AT MENTONE."Thou hast visited me in the night."--Psalm xvii. 3. MYSTERIOUS VISITS. IT is a theme for wonder that the glorious God should visit sinful man. "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" A divine visit is a joy to be treasured whenever we are favoured with it. David speaks of it with great solemnity. The Psalmist was not content barely to speak of it; but he wrote it down in plain terms, …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come Out of the Deep of Fear and Anxiety.
My heart is disquieted within me. Tearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.--Ps. lv. 4. Thou hast proved and visited my heart in the night season--Ps. xvii. 3. Nevertheless though I am sometimes afraid, yet put I my trust in Thee.--Ps. lv. 3. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?--Ps. xxvii. 1. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fear.--Ps. …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep His Journey to South Russia.
1853. The call which John Yeardley had received to visit the German colonies in South Russia, and which had lain for a long time dormant, now revived. A friend who had watched with regret his unsuccessful attempts on former journeys to enter that jealous country, and who augured from the political changes which had taken place that permission might probably now be obtained, brought the subject again under his notice. The admonition was timely and effectual. After carefully pondering the matter--with, …
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel My God Will Hear Me
"Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you. Blessed are all they that wait for Him. He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee."--ISA. xxx. 18, 19. "The Lord will hear when I call upon Him."--PS. iv. 3. "I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O God!"--PS. xvii. 6. "I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."--MIC. vii. 7. The power of prayer rests in the faith …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession How a Desolate Man Ought to Commit Himself into the Hands of God
O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as Thou wilt so it is done, and what Thou doest is good. Let Thy servant rejoice in Thee, not in himself, nor in any other; because Thou alone art the true joy, Thou art my hope and my crown, Thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord. What hath Thy servant, which he received not from Thee, even without merit of his own? Thine are all things which Thou hast given, and which Thou hast made. I am poor and in misery even from my youth up,(1) …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
Text: 2 Corinthians 3, 4-11. 4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God, …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
1. Introduction, showing the necessity of proving the similarity of both dispensations in opposition to Servetus and the Anabaptists. 2. This similarity in general. Both covenants truly one, though differently administered. Three things in which they entirely agree. 3. First general similarity, or agreement--viz. that the Old Testament, equally with the New, extended its promises beyond the present life, and held out a sure hope of immortality. Reason for this resemblance. Objection answered. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Second Sunday Before Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 11, 19-33; 12, 1-9. 19 For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. 20 For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face. 21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
They shall see God. Matthew 5:8 These words are linked to the former and they are a great incentive to heart-purity. The pure heart shall see the pure God. There is a double sight which the saints have of God. 1 In this life; that is, spiritually by the eye of faith. Faith sees God's glorious attributes in the glass of his Word. Faith beholds him showing forth himself through the lattice of his ordinances. Thus Moses saw him who was invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Believers see God's glory as it were …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 17:3 NIVPsalm 17:3 NLTPsalm 17:3 ESVPsalm 17:3 NASBPsalm 17:3 KJV
Psalm 17:3 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
