Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. Hear, O LORDThe Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. This plea is directed to "LORD," translated from "YHWH," the covenant name of God, emphasizing a personal relationship. The psalmist is invoking the attentive and responsive nature of God, who is not distant but intimately involved with His people. This reflects the confidence that God is both willing and able to respond to the cries of His faithful. my righteous plea
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "צֶדֶק" (tsedeq), which denotes justice, rightness, and moral integrity. The psalmist is asserting that his plea is just and aligns with God's standards. This is not a self-righteous claim but an appeal to God's own righteousness, suggesting that the psalmist's cause is in harmony with divine justice. It underscores the belief that God is a righteous judge who will act in accordance with His character. listen to my cry
"Listen" is another call for God’s attention, similar to "hear," but with an added sense of urgency and earnestness. The word "cry" in Hebrew is "רִנָּה" (rinah), which can mean a shout of joy or a cry for help. Here, it conveys a deep emotional plea, reflecting the psalmist's desperation and need for divine intervention. This highlights the personal and heartfelt nature of prayer, where the believer pours out their soul before God. Give ear to my prayer
The phrase "give ear" is a metaphorical expression asking God to incline His ear, suggesting a close and attentive listening. "Prayer" in Hebrew is "תְּפִלָּה" (tefillah), which encompasses not just requests but also worship and communion with God. This indicates that the psalmist's communication with God is multifaceted, involving both supplication and a deep relational aspect. it comes from lips free of deceit
The phrase "lips free of deceit" emphasizes sincerity and truthfulness. The Hebrew word for "deceit" is "מִרְמָה" (mirmah), meaning treachery or falsehood. The psalmist is asserting the integrity of his words, suggesting that his prayer is honest and untainted by manipulation or false motives. This reflects the biblical principle that God desires truth in the inward being (Psalm 51:6) and that sincere prayers are those that align with His truth and righteousness. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this psalm, David is often seen as a man after God's own heart. He frequently turned to God in times of distress, seeking divine intervention and justice. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people. David appeals to Yahweh as the ultimate judge and protector. 3. PrayerThe act of communicating with God, which in this context is a plea for justice and vindication. David's prayer is characterized by sincerity and honesty. Teaching Points The Importance of Righteousness in PrayerDavid's plea is described as "righteous," indicating that the moral and spiritual condition of the petitioner matters. We should strive to live lives of integrity, ensuring our prayers are sincere and free from deceit. God's Attentiveness to Our CriesJust as David confidently asks God to "give ear" to his prayer, we can trust that God is attentive to our cries, especially when we approach Him with honesty and humility. The Role of Integrity in Our Relationship with GodDavid emphasizes that his prayer comes from "lips free of deceit." This teaches us the value of maintaining integrity in our speech and actions, which strengthens our relationship with God. Confidence in God's JusticeDavid's appeal to God as the ultimate judge encourages us to place our trust in God's justice, especially when facing false accusations or injustice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's approach to prayer in Psalm 17:1 reflect his relationship with God, and what can we learn from it about our own prayer life? 2. In what ways does the assurance of God's attentiveness to the righteous, as seen in Psalm 17:1 and other scriptures, impact your faith and prayer practices? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it, and what role did prayer play in your response? 4. How can we ensure that our prayers are "free of deceit," and why is this important in our communication with God? 5. Consider the connection between righteousness and effective prayer as seen in Psalm 17:1 and James 5:16. How can this understanding influence your daily walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 34:15This verse speaks of the LORD's attentiveness to the righteous, reinforcing the idea that God hears the prayers of those who are upright in heart. 1 Peter 3:12Echoes the sentiment that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, drawing a parallel between the Old and New Testament assurances of God's responsiveness. James 5:16Highlights the power of a righteous person's prayer, which aligns with David's confidence in his plea being heard due to his integrity. People David, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Attend, Attention, Cause, Cry, David, Deceit, Deceitful, Doesn't, Ear, Ears, Feigned, Free, Goes, Gt, Heed, Lips, Listen, Lt, O, Plea, Prayer, Righteous, Righteousness, RiseDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 17:1 5164 lips
8158 righteousness, of believers Psalm 17: 8610 prayer, asking God Psalm 17:1-2 5360 justice, God 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 17:1 NIVPsalm 17:1 NLTPsalm 17:1 ESVPsalm 17:1 NASBPsalm 17:1 KJV
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