Psalms 17:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

A Prayer {H8605} of David {H1732}. Hear {H8085} the right {H6664}, O LORD {H3068}, attend {H7181} unto my cry {H7440}, give ear {H238} unto my prayer {H8605}, that goeth not {H3808} out of feigned {H4820} lips {H8193}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A prayer of David: Hear a just cause, ADONAI, heed my cry; listen to my prayer from honest lips.

Berean Standard Bible

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit.

American Standard Version

Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 17:1 serves as a fervent and direct invocation from David to the LORD, initiating a psalm of individual lament. In this opening verse, David appeals to God's inherent righteousness, imploring Him to "hear the right"—to acknowledge the justness of his cause and the integrity of his petition. The verse immediately establishes a tone of profound sincerity, as David emphatically declares that his prayer issues "not out of feigned lips," thereby asserting the purity of his motives and the truthfulness of his plea for divine intervention against his adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 17 is classified as an individual lament, a prevalent genre within the Psalter where the psalmist expresses deep distress, often stemming from persecution, false accusation, or illness, while simultaneously affirming their innocence and appealing for divine deliverance. This psalm follows Psalm 16, a "Miktam of David" that articulates confident trust in God's protective presence, and precedes Psalm 18, a majestic psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies. Thus, Psalm 17 is situated within a thematic progression that moves from unwavering trust to earnest lament and ultimately to triumphant gratitude, mirroring the dynamic spiritual journey common to believers. The initial verse immediately establishes the psalmist's direct and intimate address to God, setting the stage for a detailed articulation of his plight and his steadfast reliance on God's justice, a pattern observed in many of David's prayers throughout the Psalter, such as [Psalm 3](/psalms/3 "Psalm 3 - A Psalm of David When He Fled from Absalom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the psalm's superscription attributes it to David, it refrains from specifying a particular historical event. Nevertheless, David's life was frequently characterized by intense periods of persecution, baseless accusations, and relentless pursuit by various adversaries, including King Saul, his own son Absalom, and foreign foes. In ancient Israelite society, justice (*mishpat* and *tzedeq*) was a foundational pillar of communal life, and appealing to God as the supreme Judge was a customary recourse when human justice systems were perceived as failing or corrupted. The concept of "right" (Hebrew: *tzedeq*) was deeply interwoven with the cultural understanding of divine governance, implying that God would invariably act in accordance with His perfect righteousness. The emphasis on "feigned lips" also reflects a profound cultural value placed on truthfulness and integrity in speech, standing in stark contrast to the deceit and manipulation often employed by those who sought to harm the innocent or gain an unfair advantage.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout Psalm 17 and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is **Sincere Prayer**, as David's insistence that his prayer does "not go out of feigned lips" underscores the profound value God places on honesty and truthfulness in communication with Him, a theme powerfully echoed in [Proverbs 15:8](/proverbs/15-8 "Proverbs 15:8 - The Prayer of the Upright"). Closely intertwined is the theme of **Divine Justice**, as David appeals to God's attribute of righteousness ("Hear the right"), trusting that God is an impartial Judge who will discern the truth and act decisively to vindicate the innocent and hold the wicked accountable, a foundational belief vividly expressed in [Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges the World in Righteousness"). Furthermore, the repeated pleas to "hear," "attend," and "give ear" highlight David's absolute **Dependence on God** for help and vindication, acknowledging that he possesses no other recourse but to present his case before the Almighty. Finally, by asserting the sincerity of his prayer, David implicitly declares his own **Integrity of Heart** concerning the matter at hand, presenting himself as one whose intentions are pure and whose plea is honest before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Right (Hebrew, צֶדֶק _tsedeq'_):** This term is foundational to biblical theology, encompassing righteousness, justice, and vindication. When David implores God to "hear the right," he is not merely asking for a favorable verdict but appealing to God's very character as the perfectly righteous Judge. He seeks for God to intervene and establish justice in a situation where he believes he has been wronged, aligning divine action with divine nature. It's an appeal for God to uphold moral order and to act in accordance with His own just standards, ensuring that what is morally and legally correct prevails.
* **Attend (Hebrew, קָשַׁב _qashav'_):** While the KJV translates this as "attend," the Hebrew verb *qashav* means "to prick up the ears," "to listen closely," "to pay attention," or "to heed." It conveys a sense of earnestness and urgency in David's plea. It's not a casual request for a hearing, but an impassioned cry for God to lean in, to fully comprehend the depth of his distress, and to respond with active engagement. This word emphasizes God's active and empathetic listening, going beyond mere auditory perception to a full understanding and consideration of the suppliant's situation, signifying a readiness to respond.
* **Feigned lips (Hebrew, מִרְמָה שָׂפָה _mirmâh sâphâh'_):** This powerful phrase literally translates to "lips of deceit" or "lips of fraud." The word *mirmâh* (H4820) denotes fraud, deceit, or treachery, while *sâphâh* (H8193) refers to the lip, and by implication, language or speech. By stating his prayer does "not go out of feigned lips," David is making a profound declaration of sincerity and integrity. He is asserting that his petition is free from hypocrisy, manipulation, or any hidden agenda. It implies that his words are a true reflection of his heart and his genuine distress, standing in stark contrast to the insincere or manipulative prayers that God despises. This phrase highlights the biblical emphasis on inner truthfulness in worship and communication with God, where outward expression must align with inward disposition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ A Prayer of David."**: This superscription, common in many Psalms, identifies the author as David and the genre as a prayer or supplication. It immediately frames the text as a direct, personal communication between David and God, setting an expectation of intimate and earnest discourse from the outset.
* **"Hear the right, O LORD,"**: This is a direct, urgent address to God, invoking His covenant name (LORD, Yahweh). David appeals to God's attribute of righteousness (*tzedeq*), asking Him to listen to and act upon his just cause. It's a plea for divine judgment and vindication, implying that David believes his cause is righteous and therefore deserves God's intervention to uphold justice.
* **"attend unto my cry,"**: This clause parallels "Hear the right," intensifying the plea for divine attentiveness. The word "cry" (רִנָּה, *rinnah*) often denotes a loud, earnest, and distressed appeal, sometimes a shout of joy or grief. Here, it conveys the depth of David's anguish and the urgency of his need for God's immediate and focused attention, signifying a desperate plea rather than a casual request.
* **"give ear unto my prayer,"**: Further reinforcing the previous two clauses, this phrase emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of David's communication with God. It is a direct request for God to incline His ear, to listen closely and responsively to the specific petition that follows, highlighting David's complete reliance on God's willingness to hear and act on his behalf.
* **"[that goeth] not out of feigned lips."**: This crucial qualifying statement underscores the absolute sincerity and integrity of David's entire petition. By asserting that his prayer does not originate from "lips of deceit" or "fraud," David declares that his words are genuine, his motives pure, and his heart truthful before God. This assertion of sincerity is fundamental to the legitimacy of his appeal for divine justice and sets a profound standard for all who approach God in prayer.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 17:1 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its urgent and sincere message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, particularly **synonymous parallelism**, where the phrases "Hear the right," "attend unto my cry," and "give ear unto my prayer" repeat similar ideas using different words to intensify the plea for divine attention and emphasize the psalmist's earnestness. This triple invocation creates a cumulative effect, highlighting the depth of David's distress and his unwavering conviction that God is his only recourse. **Apostrophe** is evident in the direct address "O LORD," where the psalmist speaks directly to God as if He were present and listening, imbuing the prayer with intimacy, immediacy, and a profound sense of personal relationship. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is powerfully employed in the phrase "feigned lips," where "lips" stand in for the words spoken and, by extension, the inner disposition, intention, or character behind those words. This device powerfully communicates David's assertion of his heart's integrity, implying that his prayer is not just outwardly correct but inwardly pure and truthful, reflecting a genuine and unadulterated appeal to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 17:1 lays a foundational theological principle: the efficacy and acceptance of prayer are deeply connected to the sincerity and integrity of the one praying. David's appeal to God to "hear the right" is a profound affirmation of God's character as the perfectly just and righteous Judge, who not only discerns truth but also acts on behalf of those who are genuinely righteous in their cause. This verse teaches us that God is not swayed by outward show, eloquent rhetoric, or manipulative words, but desires a heart that is true and transparent in its communication with Him. It underscores the biblical emphasis on inner truthfulness as a prerequisite for genuine communion with the Divine, reminding us that God values authenticity over mere performance. The psalmist's confidence in appealing to God's justice also highlights the broader theme of divine vindication for the righteous, a recurring hope throughout Scripture for those who suffer unjustly and seek the Lord's intervention.

* [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples")
* [Proverbs 15:29](/proverbs/15-29 "Proverbs 15:29 - The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.")
* [1 John 3:21-22](/1_john/3-21-22 "1 John 3:21-22 - Confidence Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 17:1 offers a profound invitation and a challenging call for contemporary believers. It compels us to examine the very nature of our prayers, prompting us to ask if they truly emanate from a place of sincerity, integrity, and genuine need, or if they are merely ritualistic, perfunctory, or even subtly manipulative. David's example encourages us to approach God with raw honesty, laying bare our true burdens, fears, and petitions, trusting that He values a contrite and truthful heart above all else. This verse reminds us that God is not only attentive to our cries but also perfectly just, capable of discerning the "right" in every situation and acting accordingly to bring about His righteous will. In a world often marked by deceit, superficiality, and disingenuous communication, this psalm stands as a timeless beacon, guiding us back to the heart of authentic communication with our Creator, urging us to seek His righteous will and intervention in our lives with unfeigned lips and an unwavering trust in His perfect justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on "feigned lips" challenge my own approach to prayer and my honesty before God?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God more fully as the righteous Judge who will "hear the right" and vindicate His people?**
* **What does it mean practically to have a prayer that "goeth not out of feigned lips" in my daily walk with God and in my interactions with others?**
* **How can I cultivate greater sincerity and integrity in all my communications, both with God and with those around me, reflecting the heart of David's plea?**

### FAQ

**What does David mean by "Hear the right, O LORD"?**

Answer: When David asks the LORD to "hear the right," he is appealing to God as the ultimate, perfectly righteous Judge. The Hebrew word for "right" (צֶדֶק, *tzedeq*) encompasses justice, righteousness, and vindication. David is essentially asking God to listen to his case, to acknowledge the justice and integrity of his cause, and to act in accordance with His own righteous character to bring about a just outcome. It's a plea for divine intervention to correct an injustice he is experiencing, trusting that God will discern the truth and vindicate the innocent. This reflects a deep faith in God's moral governance of the world, as seen in [Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges the World in Righteousness").

**Why is it important that the prayer "[goeth] not out of feigned lips"?**

Answer: The phrase "feigned lips" (שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה, *siftei mirmah*) means "lips of deceit" or "lips of fraud." By stating his prayer does not come from such lips, David is emphasizing the absolute sincerity, integrity, and truthfulness of his petition. He is declaring that his words are a genuine expression of his heart, free from hypocrisy, manipulation, or hidden motives. This is crucial because God values inner truthfulness and authenticity in prayer above outward displays or eloquent words. It contrasts with the kind of empty or insincere prayers that [Jesus warned against in Matthew 6:7](/matthew/6-7 "Matthew 6:7 - Jesus' Teaching on Prayer"). David's assertion sets a profound standard for all who approach God, highlighting that genuine communion requires an honest and transparent heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 17:1 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, a type of Christ, prays for God to "hear the right" and asserts that his prayer is "not out of feigned lips." This points forward to the Lord Jesus, who alone perfectly embodied "the Right." He was the truly righteous one, whose life was lived in perfect obedience to God's will and whose every word and prayer emanated from a heart of absolute purity and sincerity, utterly devoid of "feigned lips." When Jesus prayed, as in [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"), His petitions were always perfectly aligned with the Father's will, demonstrating an unparalleled integrity. Unlike David, who, though righteous, was still a sinner, Jesus was the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who was unjustly accused and suffered for "the right" of humanity, ultimately vindicating God's justice through His sacrifice. His appeals to the Father were always heard because of His inherent righteousness and perfect sincerity. Furthermore, Jesus now serves as our compassionate High Priest, who "in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin," and therefore is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, allowing us to "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Our High Priest")). His intercession for us before the Father is always righteous and effective, ensuring that our prayers, offered through Him, are heard and accepted, even when our own lips may falter or our hearts are less than perfectly sincere, because we have an Advocate with the Father, [Jesus Christ the righteous](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Our Advocate").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 142:6

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

Psalms 61:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

Psalms 145:18

The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Daniel 9:18

O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

Daniel 9:19

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.

1 John 3:21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.