Psalms 17:1 - Exposition

Hear the right, O Lord (comp. Psalms 9:4 ). Here and elsewhere the psalmist assumes that right is on his side, and that he is persecuted unjustly. Unless he had been convinced of this, he could not have called on God to vindicate him. The narrative in 1 Samuel 18:1-30 .-27, fully justifies his conviction. Attend unto my cry (comp. Psalms 4:1 ; Psalms 5:2 ; Psalms 61:1 ). Rinnah , the word translated "cry" here (and in Psalms 61:1 ) is a strong term: it means "shout," "outcry"—most often, though not here, "a shout of joy." Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips; rather, feigning lips , or guileful lips — lips , i.e; that speak falsehood knowingly .