What does “hear the right” and “let my sentence come forth” mean here?

When David says “hear the right,” he is asking God to listen to a just cause, not a selfish complaint. He believes he is being treated wrongly and brings that case to God. “Let my sentence come forth from thy presence” means he wants God Himself to give the verdict, not human courts or public opinion. He trusts that God sees what is fair, knows his heart, and will show who is in the right. It is a way of saying, “God, you be the judge between me and my enemies.”

Why does David stress that his prayer does not come from feigned lips?

David knows that many people can speak fine words while their hearts are cold or dishonest. When he says his prayer does not come from feigned lips, he is telling God that he is not pretending or putting on a show. His words match what is really in his heart. This matters because God is not moved by outward talk but by truth on the inside. David leans on the fact that God has already searched and tested his heart, even in the quiet of the night.

What are the “paths of the destroyer,” and how does David avoid them?

The “paths of the destroyer” are the ways of violent and wicked people, those who repay evil with evil and harm others for gain. David is under pressure from such enemies, but he says that by “the word of thy lips” he has kept from walking as they do. God’s words guide him, holding him back from revenge, cruelty, or deceit. Instead of copying his enemies, he asks God to “hold up my goings” in God’s paths so that his feet do not slip into the same sinful ways.

How are David’s enemies described, and why does that matter for the prayer?

David’s enemies are shown as proud, hard-hearted, and greedy. They are “inclosed in their own fat,” a picture of being puffed up and dull to mercy. Their mouths speak proudly, and they circle around him like a hungry lion stalking its prey. This shows that the danger is real and not small. Because the enemies are so fierce and unjust, David does not trust his own strength. He calls on God to arise, stop their plans, and bring them down, showing that only God can truly deal with such evil.

What does it mean that some men have their portion in this life only?

David speaks of “men of the world” who have their portion in this life. These are people whose good things are mainly here and now: full bellies, wealth, many children, and goods to pass on. God may allow them plenty, yet their hearts are fixed on this world and not on Him. In contrast, David is not content with earthly gain alone. He sees that worldly success without God is empty in the end. This contrast sets up his closing hope of being satisfied with God Himself.

What does this passage teach about how God relates to sincere prayer?

This passage shows that God listens closely to honest, heartfelt prayer. David is bold to say, “I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me,” because he knows God is not deaf to those who trust Him. God tests hearts, sees truth and lies, and delights in prayers that are not fake. The psalm links sincere prayer with a life that seeks to avoid evil paths. It encourages us that when we come to God openly, asking for help to live rightly, He bends His ear and cares for our cry.

How can someone today apply David’s prayer for justice and protection?

Someone today can take this prayer as a pattern when treated unfairly or facing harm. Instead of rushing to repay evil, they can bring their case to God, asking Him to judge rightly. They can ask God to search their heart, to keep their words from sin, and to hold their steps on His path. They can trust God to protect them as something precious, even when they feel surrounded. Like David, they can loosen their grip on this world’s rewards and rest their hope in seeing God’s face.

Ps.17.1

Psalm 17:1

Q: What does “keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” mean?

The “apple of the eye” is the pupil, the most sensitive and guarded part of the eye. David is asking God to watch over him with that kind of careful protection. “Under the shadow of thy wings” pictures a mother bird covering her young, keeping them close and safe from danger. Together, these pictures show how near and gentle God’s care is for those who trust Him. David feels surrounded by deadly enemies, so he asks God to guard him as something very precious and fragile.

Q: What does “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” mean?

This line looks beyond present trouble. David believes that one day he will “awake” from this life’s night, whether from deep distress or from death itself, and then see God in a new way. To behold God’s face in righteousness means to stand before God as accepted, not condemned. Being satisfied with God’s likeness points to a joy that comes from being near God and shaped by His presence. While others chase only earthly things, David’s deepest satisfaction is to be with God and to reflect His character.

KJV

Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Hear My Righteous Plea

A prayer of David.

1 Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

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.

4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14 From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.