Confidence in God. From the first to the fifth verse the prayer bases his confidence in God on four pleas. 1 . He prays for the righteous cause. 2 . In a righteous spirit. 3 . On the ground of a righteous character. 4 . On the ground of righteous conduct. Now we come to other grounds upon which he urges God to save him. I. THE COMPASSION OF GOD for THOSE WHO URGENTLY CRY TO HIM . ( Psalms 17:6 , Psalms 17:7 .) He calls, because God... read more
Show thy marvellous loving kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them . It is uncertain to which clause of the sentence the word בִּימִיגָךָ belongs. Its position seems to attach it rather to those who resist God than to those who trust in him. See the marginal version, which has, O thou that savest them which trust in thee from those that rise up against thy right hand. But the rendering in the text of the... read more
I have called upon thee for thou wilt hear me, O God - The meaning of this is, “I have called on thee heretofore, and will do it still, because I am certain that thou wilt hear me.” That is, he was encouraged to call upon God by the conviction that he would hear his prayer, and would grant his request. In other words, he came to God in faith; in the full belief of his readiness to answer prayer, and to bestow needed blessings. Compare John 11:42; Hebrews 11:6.Incline thine ear unto me - See the... read more
Show thy marvelous loving-kindness - The literal translation of the original here would be, “distinguish thy favors.” The Hebrew word used means properly “to separate; to distinguish;” then, “to make distinguished or great.” The prayer is, that God would separate his mercies on this occasion from his ordinary mercies by the manifestation of greater powers, or by showing him special favor. The ordinary or common mercies which he was receiving at the hand of God would not meet the present case.... read more
Psalms 17:6. I have called upon thee It hath been, still is, and shall be, my constant course, to apply myself to thee for assistance and deliverance. For thou wilt hear, O God Though thou mayest delay for a season, I am well assured that thou wilt hear and answer me. read more
Psalms 17:7. Show thy marvellous loving-kindness Namely, in preserving and delivering me: which, if thou dost, I must ever acknowledge it to be an act of kindness, or free grace and mercy, yea, and of marvellous kindness, because of my extreme and pressing dangers, out of which nothing but a miracle of divine mercy and power can save me; O thou that savest by thy right hand By thy great power, and needest not the agency of any other; them which put their trust in thee Or, in it, ... read more
Psalms 14-17 Godly people in ungodly societyContinuing the theme of Psalms 10-13 (concerning the godly person who is downtrodden), the psalmist notes what happens when people refuse to acknowledge God and live as if he does not care about their actions. The result is a corrupt society (14:1-3). Because they have rejected God they have rejected the true standard by which to judge good and evil. They live solely for themselves, with no consideration for others and no thought for God (4). But in... read more
hear = answer. See Structure, above. read more
put their trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 17:6
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God (comp. Psalms 17:1 , Psalms 17:2 ). Having established, as the ground of his claim to be heard of God, his own sincerity, steadfastness, and virtuous course in life ( Psalms 17:3-5 ), David now recurs to his original intent, and resumes his "prayer." He is sure that God will hear him, since his prayer is grounded on "right." Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech (comp. Psalms 71:2 ; Psalms 88:2 , etc.). read more