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Psalm 17:1
A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
1A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
2Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
3You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
Notice
David’s plea to be heard joins a claim of justice with a claim of honest speech, raising the question of how truth shapes your prayers.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What plea for justice would you want God to hear today?
Write on thisWhere might the phrase “deceitful lips” lead you to examine the wording of a prayer?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 145:18The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.David’s prayer without deceit shares the concern for truth found in the promise that the LORD is near to those calling in truth.
Psalm 142:6Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.Both prayers ask God to listen; Psalm 17 stresses a righteous plea, while Psalm 142 names desperate need and stronger persecutors.
Psalm 61:1For the Chief Musician. For a stringed instrument. By David. Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer.Both prayers bear David’s name and begin by asking God to hear and listen.
Psalm 5:1For the Chief Musician, with the flutes. A Psalm by David. Give ear to my words, LORD. Consider my meditation.Both prayers bear David’s name and use “Give ear” to ask the LORD to attend to his words.
John 4:23But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers.David’s rejection of deceit in prayer shares a concern for truth with Jesus’ description of worshipers the Father seeks.
Matthew 15:8‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.Both passages examine speech directed toward God: David claims honest lips, while Matthew describes lips honoring God with hearts far away.
1 John 3:21Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God;David approaches God claiming a righteous plea and honest speech; John describes boldness toward God when hearts do not condemn.
Daniel 9:18–19My God, turn your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name; for we do not present our petitions before …Both ask God to hear a petition; David names his plea righteous, while Daniel appeals to God’s mercy rather than the petitioners’ righteousness.
Isaiah 29:13The Lord said, “Because this people draws near with their mouth and honors me with their lips, but they have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of …Both address lips speaking toward God: David denies deceit, while Isaiah describes honor spoken by people whose hearts are far from God.
2 Chronicles 7:15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer that is made in this place.David asks God to give ear to prayer; Chronicles records God’s promise of attentive ears to prayer made in that place.
Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.David describes his plea as righteous and free from deceit; Proverbs says the prayer of the upright is the LORD’s delight.
2 Chronicles 6:40“Now, my God, let, I beg you, your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.Both prayers ask God for attentive ears, with Chronicles directing the request toward prayer made in a particular place.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
David brings a claim of justice to God and speaks without deceit. You may bring your case to the same Lord, with words that tell the truth.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).