King James Version
What Does Psalms 17:1 Mean?
“A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. the right: Heb. justice not: Heb. without lips of deceit”
Psalms 17:1 · KJV
Context
1
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. the right: Heb. justice not: Heb. without lips of deceit
2
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryHear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. David opens this psalm with an urgent, threefold appeal for divine attention: "Hear," "attend," and "give ear." This rhetorical intensification—using three imperatives with three synonyms for prayer (tsedeq, "the right"; rinnah, "cry"; tefillah, "prayer")—expresses the psalmist's passionate desire to be heard by God.
"Hear the right" (shim'ah tsedeq, שִׁמְעָה צֶדֶק) is striking. David does not merely ask God to hear him but to hear "the right" or "righteousness." The Hebrew tsedeq can mean righteousness, justice, or a righteous cause. David appeals to God as the righteous Judge, confident that his cause is just. He is not praying for something contrary to God's righteous will but for vindication that aligns with divine justice.
"That goeth not out of feigned lips" (lo misifte mirmah, לֹא מִשִּׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה) declares the sincerity of David's prayer. Mirmah means deceit, treachery, or fraud. Unlike flattery or manipulative prayer designed to deceive God, David's petition comes from genuine conviction. He prays what he truly believes, not what he thinks God wants to hear. This combination of righteous cause and sincere expression gives David confidence in approaching God.
The verse establishes the entire psalm's framework: a righteous man with a just cause, praying sincerely, appeals to the righteous Judge for vindication against enemies. David's confidence rests not on his perfection but on his integrity—he genuinely seeks God and righteousness, unlike his deceitful opponents.
"Hear the right" (shim'ah tsedeq, שִׁמְעָה צֶדֶק) is striking. David does not merely ask God to hear him but to hear "the right" or "righteousness." The Hebrew tsedeq can mean righteousness, justice, or a righteous cause. David appeals to God as the righteous Judge, confident that his cause is just. He is not praying for something contrary to God's righteous will but for vindication that aligns with divine justice.
"That goeth not out of feigned lips" (lo misifte mirmah, לֹא מִשִּׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה) declares the sincerity of David's prayer. Mirmah means deceit, treachery, or fraud. Unlike flattery or manipulative prayer designed to deceive God, David's petition comes from genuine conviction. He prays what he truly believes, not what he thinks God wants to hear. This combination of righteous cause and sincere expression gives David confidence in approaching God.
The verse establishes the entire psalm's framework: a righteous man with a just cause, praying sincerely, appeals to the righteous Judge for vindication against enemies. David's confidence rests not on his perfection but on his integrity—he genuinely seeks God and righteousness, unlike his deceitful opponents.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 17 belongs to the category of individual lament, specifically prayers for deliverance from enemies. The superscription identifies it as "A Prayer of David," suggesting it may have originated during one of David's many experiences of persecution—perhaps during Saul's pursuit, Absalom's rebellion, or another crisis when innocent suffering and false accusation threatened him.
The concept of sincere versus feigned prayer was central to Israel's prophetic critique of empty religion. Isaiah denounced those who drew near with their mouths while their hearts were far from God (Isaiah 29:13). Malachi condemned priests who offered defiled sacrifices while going through religious motions (Malachi 1:6-14). David's emphasis on unfeigned lips aligns with the broader biblical insistence that God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6).
The practice of appealing to God as righteous Judge pervades the Psalter. When human justice systems fail—when the innocent suffer and the wicked prosper—God remains the ultimate court of appeal. David, having been anointed king yet hunted like an animal, had experienced profound injustice. His confidence that God would hear "the right" sustained him through years of exile and danger.
The concept of sincere versus feigned prayer was central to Israel's prophetic critique of empty religion. Isaiah denounced those who drew near with their mouths while their hearts were far from God (Isaiah 29:13). Malachi condemned priests who offered defiled sacrifices while going through religious motions (Malachi 1:6-14). David's emphasis on unfeigned lips aligns with the broader biblical insistence that God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6).
The practice of appealing to God as righteous Judge pervades the Psalter. When human justice systems fail—when the innocent suffer and the wicked prosper—God remains the ultimate court of appeal. David, having been anointed king yet hunted like an animal, had experienced profound injustice. His confidence that God would hear "the right" sustained him through years of exile and danger.
Reflection Questions
- Why does David use three different imperatives and three different words for prayer in this opening verse?
- What does it mean to pray 'the right' rather than simply praying for what you want?
- How does praying with 'unfeigned lips' differ from praying what you think God wants to hear?
- When have you appealed to God's righteousness when human justice failed you?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 10 wordsשִׁמְעָ֤ה1 of 10
“Hear”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
צֶ֗דֶק3 of 10
“the right”
H6664the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
רִנָּתִ֗י5 of 10
“unto my cry”
H7440properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
הַאֲזִ֥ינָה6 of 10
“give ear”
H238to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen
בְּ֝לֹ֗א8 of 10
“that goeth not”
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שִׂפְתֵ֥י9 of 10
“lips”
H8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 17:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Psalms 17:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge