Psalms 17–15
Psalm 17:1-15
Psa.17.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- תפלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שמעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקשיבה: VERB,hiph,impv,2,_,sg
- רנתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1,sg
- האזינה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- תפלתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss1s
- בלא: PREP
- שפתי: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- מרמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 4:1 (verbal): In Hebrew both verses open with a plea to God as the speaker’s righteousness: 'Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness' parallels 'Hear, O LORD, my righteousness,' and both petition God to attend to the psalmist's cry.
- Psalm 5:1-2 (verbal): Both passages repeatedly call on God to 'give ear' and 'hear' the speaker's words and cry (e.g., 'Give ear to my words... Hearken unto the voice of my cry'), echoing the request in Ps 17:1.
- Psalm 34:15 (thematic): Shares the theme of God’s attentive hearing: 'The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and his ears are toward their cry,' which corresponds to Ps 17:1’s appeal that God hear the righteous petitioner’s cry.
- Psalm 143:1 (verbal): Begins with the same petition formula—'Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications'—mirroring Ps 17:1’s urgent plea for God to listen to the prayer/supplication.
Alternative generated candidates
- A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous cause; give ear, attend to my cry; listen to my prayer—there are no deceitful lips in it.
- A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my cause; give ear to my cry; listen to my prayer—there is no deceit on my lips.
Psa.17.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מלפניך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- תחזינה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- מישרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 11:4 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD’s eyes seeing and testing humanity—language parallel to God’s eyes beholding the upright in Ps 17:2.
- Proverbs 15:3 (verbal): ‘The eyes of the LORD are in every place’—a direct verbal parallel emphasizing God’s omniscient gaze that observes righteousness and wickedness.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): ‘I the LORD search the heart and test the mind’—close verbal/thematic affinity: God’s inward scrutiny and judgment of the upright.
- Psalm 26:1 (thematic): A plea for vindication before God (‘Vindicate me, O LORD’) parallels Ps 17:2’s request that the psalmist’s judgment come from God’s presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let my vindication come forth from your presence; let your eyes behold what is right.
- From before you my case goes forth; let your eyes behold the upright.
Psa.17.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בחנת: VERB,qal,perf,2,ms
- לבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- פקדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צרפתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,ms+1cs
- בל: PART
- תמצא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- זמתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- בל: PART
- יעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
Parallels
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): God declares that he 'searches the heart' and 'tests the mind/reins,' closely paralleling Psalm 17's language of divine examination and testing of the inner life.
- Psalm 139:23-24 (verbal): A direct plea to God to 'search me' and 'test' thoughts and ways; echoes Psalm 17's theme of God examining the heart and proving integrity.
- Proverbs 17:3 (thematic): Uses the crucible metaphor and the statement that the LORD 'tests hearts,' resonating with Psalm 17's image of God proving the psalmist.
- Psalm 7:9 (verbal): Speaks of God trying or testing 'hearts and reins' in the context of vindicating the righteous—similar forensic language of divine scrutiny found in Psalm 17.
- Job 7:17-18 (thematic): Job asks why God is 'mindful' and 'visits' and 'tests' man continually; parallels Psalm 17's mention of being 'visited by night' and undergoing divine testing.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have tested my heart; you have visited me by night; you have tried me and refined me—you will find nothing; my mouth will not transgress.
- You have tested my heart; you have visited me by night; you have tried me and refined me; you will find no iniquity in me—my mouth will not transgress.
Psa.17.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לפעלות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפתיך: NOUN,f,sg,cs+2ms
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- שמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ארחות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- פריץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 119:101 (verbal): Close verbal and conceptual parallel: the psalmist restrains his feet from evil ways in order to keep God's word, reversing the causal emphasis of Ps 17:4 (God's word as means of avoiding violent paths).
- Psalm 119:11 (thematic): God's word as the means of moral preservation—'Thy word have I hid... that I might not sin' parallels Ps 17:4's claim that the word/lips of God preserve the speaker from violent ways.
- Psalm 1:1 (thematic): Shared theme of avoiding the counsel and paths of the wicked: the blessed one does not walk in the way of sinners, echoing Ps 17:4's separation from violent paths.
- Proverbs 4:14-15 (verbal): Proverbial injunction against entering the path of the wicked closely parallels Ps 17:4's imagery of keeping away from the 'paths' of violent men.
- Psalm 26:4-5 (thematic): The psalmist's refusal to sit with deceitful or wicked men and his hatred of the assembly of evildoers resonates with Ps 17:4's distancing from violent/ungodly company.
Alternative generated candidates
- Concerning the works of men: by the word of your lips I have kept from the ways of the violent.
- Concerning the deeds of men, by the word of your lips I have kept my ways from the path of the violent.
Psa.17.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- תמך: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אשרי: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- במעגלותיך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- בל: PART
- נמוטו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- פעמי: NOUN,f,pl,cs
Parallels
- Ps.18:36 (verbal): Uses nearly identical imagery: God enabling/expanding the psalmist's steps so that his feet do not slip (’my feet did not slip’).
- Ps.119:133 (verbal): Petition for God to direct/order the speaker's steps in God’s way—'Order my steps' echoes the request to sustain one’s walk in God's paths.
- Ps.37:23 (thematic): States that the steps of the righteous are ordered by Yahweh—same theme of God guiding/establishing one’s walk.
- Prov.4:26 (verbal): Imagery of watching/establishing the path of the feet—'ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established' parallels the plea that steps not slip.
- Jer.10:23 (thematic): Affirms human inability to direct his own steps and the need for divine guidance—echoes the dependence implicit in asking God to uphold one’s walk.
Alternative generated candidates
- Uphold my steps in your paths, that my feet may not slip.
- Hold up my steps in your paths, that my feet may not slip.
Psa.17.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- קראתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- כי: CONJ
- תענני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הט: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אזנך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
Parallels
- Ps.4:1 (verbal): 'Answer me when I call' parallels the petition 'I called you, for you will answer me'—both begin with an appeal to God to hear and respond when the psalmist calls.
- Ps.18:6 (thematic): 'In my distress I called to the LORD... from his temple he heard my voice'—shares the theme of calling to God in distress and expecting him to incline his ear and answer.
- Ps.116:1-2 (verbal): 'I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice... because he inclined his ear to me' closely echoes the language of God hearing and inclining his ear to the petitioner in Ps 17:6.
- Jer.33:3 (verbal): 'Call to me and I will answer you' is a direct promise of God to answer when called, paralleling the confident expectation in Ps 17:6 that God will answer when invoked.
Alternative generated candidates
- I have called to you—answer me; incline your ear to me, and hear my speech.
- I have called upon you, for you will answer me; incline your ear to me—hear my speech.
Psa.17.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הפלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חסדיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2ms
- מושיע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חוסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ממתקוממים: PREP+PART,hitp,ptcp,-,m,pl
- בימינך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,pronominal,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 36:7 (verbal): Both speak of God’s steadfast lovingkindness (חסד) as the cause/ground of refuge for those who take shelter in him.
- Psalm 63:8 (verbal): Image of God’s right hand as the sustaining/protecting power: “your right hand upholds me,” echoing rescue ‘by your right hand.’
- Psalm 46:1 (thematic): Summarizes the psalmic theme: God as refuge and helper in trouble—salvation for those who seek refuge from enemies.
- Exodus 15:6 (verbal): Uses the right hand motif of divine power that defeats enemies—parallels the idea of God saving by his right hand from those who rise up against his people.
- Isaiah 25:4 (thematic): Portrays God as a stronghold and refuge for the needy and oppressed, aligning with ‘savior of those who seek refuge’ in Psalm 17:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- Show forth your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge; by your right hand deliver those who are beset by revolt.
- Show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who take refuge; deliver those who cling to you by your right hand from those who rise up against them.
Psa.17.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שמרני: VERB,piel,imp,2,ms
- כאישון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- עין: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בצל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כנפיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- תסתירני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 91:4 (verbal): Uses the same wing imagery—'He will cover you with his feathers/under his wings'—to express God's protective refuge.
- Psalm 36:7 (36:8 MT) (verbal): Speaks of taking refuge 'in the shadow of your wings,' closely paralleling the language and theme of divine shelter.
- Psalm 61:4 (verbal): 'Let me dwell in your tent... in the covert of your wings'—another psalmic expression of seeking safety under God's wings.
- Ruth 2:12 (allusion): Blessing that God 'give you a full reward... under whose wings you have come to seek refuge,' echoing the motif of coming under God's protective wings.
- Matthew 23:37 (allusion): Jesus' lament uses the bird-and-wings image ('how often would I have gathered... as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings') to convey compassionate protection, drawing on the same biblical metaphor.
Alternative generated candidates
- Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
- Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psa.17.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מפני: PREP
- רשעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זו: PRON,dem,f,sg
- שדוני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1s
- איבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss=1s
- בנפש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יקיפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Ps.22:16-17 (verbal): Like Ps 17:9, Ps 22 speaks of being surrounded/encircled by evildoers (‘for dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me’), echoing the image of enemies closing in.
- Ps.109:3 (verbal): ’They have surrounded me’ language appears in Ps 109:3 (‘They encompass me with words of hate, and fight against me without cause’), paralleling the motif of hostile foes encircling the psalmist.
- Ps.54:3 (thematic): Both verses portray hostile enemies rising against the speaker and seeking his life (Ps 54:3: ‘ruthless men seek my life’), reflecting the theme of persecution by the wicked.
- Ps.31:13 (structural): Ps 31:13 conveys being beset on every side (‘I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side!’), paralleling Ps 17:9’s sense of being surrounded and threatened by enemies.
Alternative generated candidates
- From the wicked who oppress me—my enemies surround my life; they close in upon me to take my soul.
- From the wicked who oppress me—my enemies encircle my life; they surround me.
Psa.17.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- חלבמו: NOUN,m,sg,suff3mp
- סגרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פימו: NOUN,m,sg,suff3mp
- דברו: INF,qal,inf+3ms
- בגאות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 31:18 (verbal): Calls for the silence of lying lips that speak proudly and contemptuously against the righteous—language and idea closely parallel to mouths that speak arrogantly (compare 'speak proudly').
- Psalm 12:3-4 (thematic): Denounces flattering, deceitful lips and treacherous speech; thematically parallels the Psalmist's complaint about corrupt mouths and proud talk.
- Psalm 10:7 (verbal): Describes the wicked whose mouth is full of cursing, deceit and mischief—parallels the depiction of malicious, arrogant speech in Ps 17:10.
- Psalm 5:9 (thematic): Speaks of lack of faithfulness in their mouth and deceitful, harmful speech ('their throat is an open grave')—another depiction of corrupt, proud mouths akin to Ps 17:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- Their hearts are fat; they shut their mouths and speak with arrogance.
- They have sealed their lips with fat; with proud words they speak.
Psa.17.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אשרינו: ADJ,-,-,1,m,pl,abs+suffix
- עתה: ADV
- סבבונו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עיניהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
- ישיתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לנטות: INF,qal
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Ps.22:16-17 (thematic): Both passages portray the psalmist hemmed in by hostile onlookers—enemies closing around and gazing or mocking—highlighting the motif of being surrounded and exposed to assault or scorn.
- Ps.31:13 (thematic): Speaks of enemies encircling the poet and plotting harm; parallels the image of hostile eyes watching and intent on casting the sufferer down.
- Ps.109:3 (verbal): Uses similar language of being compassed or surrounded by adversaries who heap hatred and plot against the speaker, echoing the surrounding gaze in Ps.17:11.
- Ps.35:19 (thematic): Describes enemies who oppose and rejoice at the psalmist's misfortune; thematically related in the depiction of hostile people watching and seeking the psalmist's downfall.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now they have widened their eyes at me; they set themselves to cast me down to the ground.
- “How blessed are we!” they say; now they surround us; their eyes are fixed to stoop to the ground.
Psa.17.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- דמינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- כאריה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יכסוף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לטרוף: VERB,inf
- וככפיר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- במסתרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ps.10.9 (verbal): Uses the same image of a lion lying in its covert/den, waiting to seize the poor—very close verbal and thematic parallel to lurking and readiness to devour.
- Ps.22.13 (verbal): Describes enemies 'like a ravening and roaring lion' poised to devour—similar predatory imagery applied to hostile pursuers.
- 1 Pet.5.8 (thematic): New Testament echo of the lion-as-adversary motif: the devil 'prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,' paralleling the threat of being torn.
- Ps.57.4 (thematic): Speaks of being 'among lions' and enemies whose teeth are like spears—comparable imagery of dangerous, hidden predators surrounding the psalmist.
Alternative generated candidates
- Their likeness is like a lion that longs to tear, like a young lion lurking in secret places.
- They are like a lion eager to rend, like a young lion lurking in secret places.
Psa.17.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- קומה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קדמה: ADV
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- הכריעהו: VERB,qal,imp,2,ms
- פלטה: VERB,qal,imp,2,ms
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- מרשע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חרבך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms_suff
Parallels
- Psalm 7:11-13 (verbal): Both passages depict God as judge who readies his weaponry—’whetting his sword’/bending his bow—to punish the wicked; close verbal and image overlap.
- Psalm 3:7-8 (verbal): Both open with the plea 'Arise, O LORD' and ask God to strike or save the psalmist from enemies, paralleling imperative form and deliverance motif.
- Psalm 35:1-8 (thematic): A petition for God to contend with and overthrow foes—taking up weapons, pursuing and breaking enemies—echoes Ps 17:13’s request for divine overthrow and rescue.
- Psalm 59:5-8 (structural): Similar structural plea ('Arise, O LORD; be exalted') and the theme of God casting down/persecuting enemies by his action, reflecting comparable form and content.
- Exodus 15:3 (allusion): ’The LORD is a man of war’ frames God as divine warrior; Ps 17:13’s appeal for the LORD’s sword to deliver the psalmist alludes to this martial characterization of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Arise, O LORD; confront him, overthrow him; deliver my life from the wicked by your sword.
- Arise, O LORD; confront them; bring them down; deliver my life from the wicked by your sword.
Psa.17.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ממתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ממתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מחלד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חלקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- בחיים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וצפונך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- תמלא: VERB,qal,imprf,3,f,sg
- בטנם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ישבעו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והניחו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יתרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- לעולליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Job 21:7-13 (thematic): Job describes the prosperity of the wicked — long life, many children, and abundant possessions without immediate punishment — paralleling Ps 17:14's depiction of those whose portion is in this life and who leave wealth to their offspring.
- Psalm 73:12-13 (thematic): Asaph observes that the ungodly 'prosper in the world' and increase in riches, echoing the motif in Ps 17:14 of a worldly portion and material fullness.
- Luke 16:25 (cf. Luke 16:19-31) (allusion): In the parable the rich man 'received his good things' in his lifetime, reflecting the idea that certain people's portion is confined to this life, as stated in Ps 17:14.
- Proverbs 13:22 (structural): Proverbs states that a man’s wealth is left for his children, corresponding to Ps 17:14's note that the prosperous are 'satisfied with children' and leave their substance to their babes.
Alternative generated candidates
- From mankind—by your hand, O LORD—from men of the world, whose portion is in this life; whose belly you fill with your treasure; they are satisfied with children and leave the rest of their goods to their infants.
- From mankind—whose portion is in this life—whose belly you fill with your treasure; they are satisfied with children and leave the rest of their wealth to their infants.
Psa.17.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- בצדק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחזה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אשבעה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- בהקיץ: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תמונתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,ms
Parallels
- Genesis 32:30 (allusion): Jacob says he has 'seen God face to face' (Peniel); parallels the Psalm's claim of beholding God's face and surviving/being preserved.
- 1 John 3:2 (verbal): Links seeing Christ 'as he is' with being 'like him'—echoes the Psalm's promise to awake satisfied in God's likeness.
- 1 Corinthians 13:12 (verbal): 'Now we see in a mirror dimly, then face to face'—parallels the contrast between present partial sight and future direct vision implied in the Psalm.
- Psalm 16:11 (thematic): Speaks of being in God's presence and finding fullness/satisfaction—the Psalm similarly connects seeing God's face with being satisfied.
- Psalm 63:2–3 (thematic): 'To see your power and your glory' and being satisfied echoes Ps 17:15's motif of beholding God and finding satisfaction/renewal.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I, by righteousness, shall behold your face; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.
- But I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous cause; give ear to my cry; listen to my prayer—no deceitful lips.
Let my vindication proceed from your presence; let your eyes behold what is right.
You have tested my heart; you visited me by night; you refined me; you did not find in me iniquity; my mouth has not transgressed.
Concerning the deeds of men—by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of violent men.
Establish my steps in your paths, that my feet may not slip.
I have called; answer me, O God. Incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Let your steadfast love, O Savior, be our protection; preserve those who take refuge at your right hand from those who rise up in revolt.
Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
From the wicked—those who oppress me—my enemies encircle me; they seek my life.
Their hearts are fat; they close their mouths and speak arrogantly. Now they have surrounded us; their eyes are fixed to cast us down to the ground.
They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in hiding.
Arise, O LORD; confront them; bring them down; deliver my life from the wicked by your sword.
From men—by your hand, O LORD—from men of the world whose portion is in this life: you fill their bellies with your hidden things; they are satisfied with children and leave the rest of their wealth to their infants. But I, in righteousness, shall behold your face; when I awake I shall be satisfied with your likeness.