Psalms 17
17
A Cry for Justice
A priestly prayer # 17 This is the Hebrew word tephillah, and it is found in the titles of five Psalms (17; 86; 90; 102; 142). of David
Hear Me!
1Listen to me, Lord.
Hear the passionate prayer of this honest man.
My cause is just and my need is real.
I’ve done what’s right and my lips speak truth.
2Examine and exonerate me.
Vindicate me and show the world I’m innocent.
3For in a visitation of the night
you inspected my heart and refined my soul in fire
until nothing vile was found in me.
I will not sin with my words.
4Following your word has kept me from wrong.
Your ways have molded my footsteps, keeping me
from going down the paths of the violent.
5My steps follow in the tracks of your chariot wheels,
always staying in their path,
never straying from your way.
6You will answer me, God; I know you always will.
Hear my words like you always do as you listen to my every prayer.
Hide Me!
7Magnify the marvels of your mercy to all who seek you. # 17:7 As translated from the Septuagint.
You are the loving Savior of all who turn aside
to hide themselves in you.
8Protect me from harm;
keep an eye on me as you would a child # 17:8 Or “daughter.”
who is reflected in the twinkling of your eye.
Yes, hide me within the shelter of your embrace,
under your outstretched wings. # 17:8 This could also be a reference to the mercy seat, where sacred blood was sprinkled in the Holy of Holies. There the golden cherubim overshadowed all who entered the divine chamber (Ex. 25:18–20).
9Protect me there from all my foes.
For there are many who surround my soul
to completely destroy me.
10They are pitiless, heartless—hard as nails,
swollen with pride and filled with arrogance!
11See how they close in on me,
waiting for the chance to throw me to the ground. # 17:11 This is also what the soldiers did to Jesus. They threw him to the ground and nailed him to the cross.
12They’re like lions eager to tear me apart,
like young and fearless lions lurking in secret,
so ferocious and cruel—ready to rip me to shreds.
Help Me!
13Arise, God, and confront them!
Challenge them with your might! # 17:13 The word used here is “sword.” An alternative translation would be “Rescue my soul from the wicked one, who is your sword.” The wicked are sometimes God’s tools to execute his judgments (Isa. 10:5; Jer. 51:20).
Free me from their clutches and rescue me from their rage.
14Throw them down to the ground,
those who live for only this life on earth.
Thrust them out of their prosperity
and into their portion in eternity,
leaving their wealth and wickedness behind!
15As for me, because I am innocent, I will see # 17:15 The Hebrew word for “see,” chaza, means “to see a vision.” your face
until I see you for who you really are.
I will be satisfied in an awakening of your likeness in me!
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Psalms 17: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 17
17
A prayer of David.
1Lord, please hear my cry for justice! Please pay attention to my call for help! Listen to the prayer of an honest man!#17:1. Literally, “which is not among the lips of deceit.”
2Vindicate me before you—for you see what is right.
3You have observed my thoughts, you have visited me at night, you have examined me—and you have found nothing wrong. I promised myself I wouldn't say anything I shouldn't.
4With regard to the actions of others: I have done what you told me and I have avoided what violent people do.#17:4. Or “I have seen what happens to violent people.”
5I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.
6God, I call out to you because I know you will answer; please listen carefully to what I have to say.
7Show me how wonderful your trustworthy love really is, Savior of those who come to you for protection against their enemies!
8Keep me safe as someone you love;#17:8. Literally, “Guard me as the pupil of your eye.” hide me underneath your wings.
9Protect me from the attacks of the wicked who want to destroy me, from my enemies who surround me, intent on killing me.
10They have no compassion,#17:10. Literally, “They close up the fat.” and all they have to say is pure arrogance.
11They hunt me down and surround me, looking for the chance to knock me down in the dust.
12They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.
13Lord, stand up and confront them! Force them to back down! By your sword rescue me from the wicked!
14Lord, by your power, save me from people whose only thought is for this world. May they be filled with what you have in store for them, their children too, with left-overs for their grandchildren!#17:14. The meaning of this verse is uncertain, even whether it is a blessing or a curse. From the context it is certainly an appeal for God to vindicate the good and punish the bad.
15As for me, I shall see your face in all its goodness. When I awake, I will be so pleased to see you face to face.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com