Psalms 17:1
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.
Psalms 17:1 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "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." speaks to the sincerity and authenticity of one's prayers to God. David, known for his honesty and transparency with God, is asking the Lord to discern the truth in his prayer. He is seeking God's attention and asking Him to listen to his heartfelt cry. The mention of "feigned lips" highlights the importance of genuine communication with God, free from deceit or falsehood. David's plea reflects a desire for a deep and meaningful connection with God, where his words are spoken truthfully and with sincerity. This verse serves as a reminder to believers to approach God with honesty and integrity, knowing that He hears and understands the genuine cries of His children.
Theological Overview
As we delve into the theological interpretation of this verse from the Psalms, we find David crying out to the Lord for justice and righteousness. The phrase "Hear the right, O LORD" reflects David's plea for God to hear his petition and uphold what is just and right in his situation. By asking God to "attend unto my cry" and "give ear unto my prayer," David acknowledges his dependency on God's attention and intervention in his circumstances. The phrase "that goeth not out of feigned lips" highlights David's sincerity and honesty in his prayer, emphasizing the importance of genuine communication with God. This verse serves as a reminder to us to approach God with authenticity and humility in our prayers, trusting in His righteousness to guide us in all situations.
Psalms 17:1 in other translations
American Standard Version
[A Prayer of David]. Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
World English Bible
Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
Douay-Rheims
Unto the end, for David, the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said:
Geneva Bible (1599)
The prayer of Dauid. Heare the right, O Lord, consider my crye: hearken vnto my prayer of lips vnfained.