Psalm 17:1
New International Version
A prayer of David. Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.

New Living Translation
O LORD, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.

English Standard Version
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

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

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.

New American Standard Bible
A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, LORD, give Your attention to my cry; Listen to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

NASB 1995
A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

NASB 1977
Hear a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Prayer of David. Hear a righteous cause, O Yahweh, give heed to my cry of lamentation; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

Amplified Bible
A Prayer of David. Hear the just (righteous) cause, O LORD; listen to my loud [piercing] cry; Listen to my prayer, that comes from guileless lips.

Christian Standard Bible
A prayer of David. LORD, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer — from lips free of deceit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A Davidic prayer. LORD, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer— from lips free of deceit.

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.

Contemporary English Version
I am innocent, LORD! Won't you listen as I pray and beg for help? I am honest! Please hear my prayer.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A prayer by David.] Hear my plea for justice, O LORD. Pay attention to my cry. Open your ears to my prayer, [which comes] from lips free from deceit.

Good News Translation
Listen, O LORD, to my plea for justice; pay attention to my cry for help! Listen to my honest prayer.

International Standard Version
LORD, hear my just plea! Pay attention to my cry! Listen to my prayer, since it does not come from lying lips.

Majority Standard Bible
A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer?it comes from lips free of deceit.

NET Bible
A prayer of David. LORD, consider my just cause! Pay attention to my cry for help! Listen to the prayer I sincerely offer!

New Heart English Bible
[A Prayer by David.] Hear, LORD, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

World English Bible
A Prayer by David. Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A PRAYER OF DAVID. Hear, O YHWH, righteousness, attend my cry, "" Give ear [to] my prayer, without lips of deceit.

Young's Literal Translation
A Prayer of David. Hear, O Jehovah, righteousness, attend my cry, Give ear to my prayer, without lips of deceit.

Smith's Literal Translation
Prayer of David. Hear justice, O Jehovah, attend to my outcry, give ear to my prayer, not in lips of deceit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Prayer of David. Lord, listen to my justice, attend to my supplication. Pay attention to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

New American Bible
A prayer of David. Hear, LORD, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry; Listen to my prayer from lips without guile.

New Revised Standard Version
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
HEAR, O Holy LORD, and consider my supplication; give ear unto my prayer that proceedeth not out of deceitful lips.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hear, LORD JEHOVAH, Holy One, and look at my request and give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer from lips without deceit.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A prayer of David. Hearken, O Lord of my righteousness, attend to my petition; give ear to my prayer not uttered with deceitful lips.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hear My Righteous Plea
1A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit. 2May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.…

Cross References
Psalm 86:6
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.

Psalm 5:1-2
For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. / Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.

Psalm 31:2
Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.

Psalm 55:1-2
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. / Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught

Psalm 61:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.

Psalm 143:1
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Jeremiah 11:14
As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me in their time of disaster.

Lamentations 3:44
You have covered Yourself with a cloud that no prayer can pass through.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

John 9:31
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.


Treasury of Scripture

Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips.

A.

Psalm 86:1
A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

Psalm 142:1
Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

Hear

Psalm 7:8
The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

Psalm 18:20
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Psalm 43:1
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

the right [Heb.

Psalm 5:2
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

Psalm 55:2,3
Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; …

Psalm 61:1
To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

not [out of feigned lips] [Heb.

Psalm 18:44
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

Psalm 145:18
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Jeremiah 3:10
And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.

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Attend Attention Cause Cry David Deceit Deceitful Ear Ears Feigned Free Goes Hear Heed Lips Plea Prayer Right Righteous
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Attend Attention Cause Cry David Deceit Deceitful Ear Ears Feigned Free Goes Hear Heed Lips Plea Prayer Right Righteous
Psalm 17
1. David, in confidence of his integrity, craves defense of God against his enemies
10. He shows their pride, craft, and eagerness
13. He prays against them in confidence of his hope














Hear, O LORD
The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. This plea is directed to "LORD," translated from "YHWH," the covenant name of God, emphasizing a personal relationship. The psalmist is invoking the attentive and responsive nature of God, who is not distant but intimately involved with His people. This reflects the confidence that God is both willing and able to respond to the cries of His faithful.

my righteous plea
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "צֶדֶק" (tsedeq), which denotes justice, rightness, and moral integrity. The psalmist is asserting that his plea is just and aligns with God's standards. This is not a self-righteous claim but an appeal to God's own righteousness, suggesting that the psalmist's cause is in harmony with divine justice. It underscores the belief that God is a righteous judge who will act in accordance with His character.

listen to my cry
"Listen" is another call for God’s attention, similar to "hear," but with an added sense of urgency and earnestness. The word "cry" in Hebrew is "רִנָּה" (rinah), which can mean a shout of joy or a cry for help. Here, it conveys a deep emotional plea, reflecting the psalmist's desperation and need for divine intervention. This highlights the personal and heartfelt nature of prayer, where the believer pours out their soul before God.

Give ear to my prayer
The phrase "give ear" is a metaphorical expression asking God to incline His ear, suggesting a close and attentive listening. "Prayer" in Hebrew is "תְּפִלָּה" (tefillah), which encompasses not just requests but also worship and communion with God. This indicates that the psalmist's communication with God is multifaceted, involving both supplication and a deep relational aspect.

it comes from lips free of deceit
The phrase "lips free of deceit" emphasizes sincerity and truthfulness. The Hebrew word for "deceit" is "מִרְמָה" (mirmah), meaning treachery or falsehood. The psalmist is asserting the integrity of his words, suggesting that his prayer is honest and untainted by manipulation or false motives. This reflects the biblical principle that God desires truth in the inward being (Psalm 51:6) and that sincere prayers are those that align with His truth and righteousness.

(1) Hear the right.--Or (see margin), justice. Some ancient versions read, "Hear, Lord of righteousness." Others make it concrete: "Hear me, the righteous; "but the Authorised Version has the true sense.

Verse 1. - Hear the right, O Lord (comp. Psalm 9:4). Here and elsewhere the psalmist assumes that right is on his side, and that he is persecuted unjustly. Unless he had been convinced of this, he could not have called on God to vindicate him. The narrative in 1 Samuel 18. - 27, fully justifies his conviction. Attend unto my cry (comp. Psalm 4:1; Psalm 5:2; Psalm 61:1). Rinnah, the word translated "cry" here (and in Psalm 61:1) is a strong term: it means "shout," "outcry" - most often, though not here, "a shout of joy." Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips; rather, feigning lips, or guileful lips - lips, i.e., that speak falsehood knowingly.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Prayer
תְּפִלָּ֗ה (tə·p̄il·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn

of David.
לְדָ֫וִ֥ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

Hear,
שִׁמְעָ֤ה (šim·‘āh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

O LORD,
יְהוָ֨ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

my righteous plea;
צֶ֗דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

listen
הַקְשִׁ֥יבָה (haq·šî·ḇāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7181: To prick up the ears, hearken

to my cry.
רִנָּתִ֗י (rin·nā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7440: A creaking, shout

Give ear
הַאֲזִ֥ינָה (ha·’ă·zî·nāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen

to my prayer
תְפִלָּתִ֑י (ṯə·p̄il·lā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn

from lips
שִׂפְתֵ֥י (śip̄·ṯê)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

free of
בְּ֝לֹ֗א (bə·lō)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

deceit.
מִרְמָֽה׃ (mir·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4820: Deceit, treachery


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OT Poetry: Psalm 17:1 A Prayer by David (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 16:11
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