Bible Glide

Psalms 17

Psalms 17 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Psalm 17 is David's prayer for protection and justice. He asks God to hear him, test his integrity, and defend him from violent enemies. The psalm moves from personal confidence in God's attention to urgent appeal, ending with hope of being satisfied in God's presence.

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What happens in Psalms 17?

David asks the LORD to hear a sincere prayer and to judge him fairly. He trusts that God has examined his heart and sees that he has avoided evil and violence. He then turns to request protection from enemies who surround him, speaking with pride and cruelty. David pictures God as a refuge and asks to be kept safe under divine care. The psalm ends with a contrast between worldly gains and a better hope: David expects to awake satisfied by seeing God's face.

Psalm 17 is a Davidic prayer in the first book of Psalms, where many psalms focus on personal trust, danger, and honest dependence on God. It follows Psalm 16, which centers on confidence in God's guidance and life, and leads into Psalm 18, a song of deliverance. This chapter fits the pattern of lament that also expresses faith.

Themes to notice

  • Sincere prayerDavid asks God to hear a plea that comes from an honest heart and clean speech.
  • Divine protectionHe seeks refuge from enemies and asks God to guard him like someone under close care.
  • Righteous hopeThe psalm contrasts present threats with the lasting satisfaction of being in God's presence.

Questions for Psalms 17

  • What does David say about the honesty of his prayer and the condition of his heart?
  • How does Psalm 17 describe the danger David faces from his enemies?
  • What final hope does David hold onto at the end of the psalm?

Read the full text of Psalms 17 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Psalms 17

Hear My Righteous Plea

A prayer of David.

1Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;

listen to my cry.

Give ear to my prayer—

it comes from lips free of deceit.

2May my vindication come from Your presence;

may Your eyes see what is right.

3You 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.

4As for the deeds of men—

by the word of Your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

5My steps have held to Your paths;

my feet have not slipped.

6I call on You, O God,

for You will answer me.

Incline Your ear to me;

hear my words.

7Show the wonders of Your loving devotion,

You who save by Your right hand

those who seek refuge from their foes.

8Keep me as the apple of Your eye;

hide me in the shadow of Your wings

9from the wicked who assail me,

from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10They have closed their callous hearts;

their mouths speak with arrogance.

11They have tracked us down, and now surround us;

their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,

12like a lion greedy for prey,

like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13Arise, O LORD, confront them!

Bring them to their knees;

deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,

14from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—

from men of the world

whose portion is in this life.

May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons,

so they leave their abundance to their children.

15As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness;

when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.

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