Psalm 17/Full

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Hear me. (1)

A. Hear the right, O Lord.

B. Attend unto my cry.

C. Give ear unto my prayer, that comes from unfeigned lips.

II. Judge me. (2)

A. Let my sentence come forth from Thy presence.

B. Let Thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

III. Examine me. (3)

A. Prove me.

B. Try me.

C. I have purposed that I will not transgress.

IV. Guide me. (4-5)

A. By Your Word.

B. Keep me from the paths of the destroyer.

C. Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

V. Manifest Yourself to me. (6-7)

A. I have called upon You, You will hear me.

B. Incline Your ear unto me and hear my speech.

C. Show Your marvelous loving-kindness.

D. Because I have put my trust in You, save me by Your right hand from those that rise up against me.

VI. Guard me: Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings. (8-12)

A. From the wicked that oppress me.

B. From my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

C. From those who speak proudly and have compassed me about.

D. From those who look on me as prey, like a young lion lurking in secret places.

VII. Deliver me. (13-14)

A. Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is Thy sword.

B. Deliver me from:

1. Men which are Thy hand, O Lord.

2. Men of the world.

3. Men which have their portion in this life.

4. Men whose belly You fill with Your hid treasure.

VIII. Satisfy me. (15)

A. When I behold Your face in righteousness.

B. When I awake with Your likeness.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 17,3 זַמֹּתִי {B} MT // paraphr: T / err-voc: G, S clav זִמָּתִי, α'σ', Hebr clav זִמֹּתַי

Ps 17,14 מִמְתִים (bis) {B} MT, G (2°) Hebr (1°) // err-voc: α', σ', Hebr (2°), S, T clav מִמֵּתִים / incert: G (1°)