Psalms Chapter 17
Showing all 15 verses for Psalms Chapter 17.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. "
"Listen to my honest case, LORD - pay attention to my cry, hear my prayer, because it doesn't come from lying lips."
I want you to come to me exactly as you are, not performing the right words. If your need is real, say it plainly - I'm not interested in polished prayers, only honest ones.
"Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. "
"Let my verdict come from you; let your eyes see what is fair."
I see things fairly, without the distortions of anger or self-interest that cloud human judgement. When you feel misunderstood or falsely accused, you can trust that ultimate fairness exists, even when people around you get it wrong.
"Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. "
"You've tested my heart, examined me at night - you've tried me and found nothing wrong; I'm determined that my mouth won't sin."
True character isn't what you perform for an audience - it's who you are at 2am when no one's checking. I care more about your private honesty than your public image.
"Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. "
"As for the deeds of other people, I've used your instructions to stay off the paths that lead to ruin."
When everyone around you is playing dirty, you don't have to. Let good principles - not the crowd - set your course, and you'll avoid becoming what you hate.
"Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. "
"Keep my steps steady on your paths, so my feet don't slip."
Good character isn't a finish line, it's a daily walk, and everyone stumbles. Ask for support to keep going rather than assuming you can do it alone through sheer willpower.
"I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. "
"I've called out to you, God, because I know you'll hear me; lean your ear towards me and listen to what I say."
The confidence to be heard grows from relationship, not performance. Keep showing up honestly, and trust builds - that's true whether you're speaking to me or to the people in your life.
"Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. "
"Show your incredible loyal love - you who rescue with your strong hand those who trust in you, from those who attack them."
I don't change my nature to suit the moment - if I've shown up for you before, I'll show up again. Let that steadiness be something you can lean on when new threats appear.
"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, "
"Protect me like the precious centre of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
I don't protect you from a distance like a rule-enforcer - I want to shelter you the way a parent bird covers its chicks, close and warm. When you're afraid, you're allowed to want that closeness, not just abstract safety.
"From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. "
"Protect me from the wicked people who are crushing me, from my deadly enemies who surround me."
You don't have to be vague when you're scared - name exactly what's threatening you. Specific honesty is more useful than generic hope, both to me and to you.
"They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. "
"They're wrapped up in their own excess and comfort; their mouths spout arrogant words."
Comfort without humility calcifies into arrogance - watch for that in yourself, not just in others. Wealth and ease aren't wrong, but they're dangerous when they numb you to other people's pain.
"They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; "
"Now they've surrounded us at every step; their eyes are fixed, watching to strike us down."
Feeling watched and hunted is a real and valid fear - I don't dismiss it. Bring that fear honestly rather than pretending you're fine when you're not.
"Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. "
"Like a lion hungry for its prey, like a young lion hiding, waiting to ambush."
It's alright to say "I am genuinely afraid" using the strongest images you have - fear doesn't need to be minimised to be brought to me. I can handle your rawest descriptions of dread.
"Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: "
"Rise up, LORD, confront him, bring him down - rescue me from the wicked, who are like your sword."
Even painful things happening to you can be part of a bigger story you can't yet see - that doesn't make cruelty acceptable, but it can stop you believing you've been abandoned. Bring me your urgent "act now" prayers; I don't mind the urgency.
"From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. "
"Save me from people of this world, LORD, whose only reward is in this life - you fill their bellies with hidden treasure, they have plenty of children, and pass their wealth on to their kids."
Success measured only by money, comfort and what you leave behind can look impressive and still leave a life hollow at the centre. I'm not against having good things - I'm asking you not to let them become the entire point.
"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. "
"But as for me, I will see your face because I've lived rightly - when I wake, I'll be fully satisfied, having become like you."
What will actually satisfy you isn't more stuff, it's becoming someone whose character reflects real goodness, and being fully seen. That's a different kind of ambition than the world usually sells you, and it lasts.