Psalm 17:1
“Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.”
KJV
Read in Psalm 17Meaning
The opening appeal asks God to hear a just cause and a prayer not formed by deceitful lips; sincerity before God matters, but the verse does not prove the speaker is morally flawless.
A truthful plea for vindication
Verses 1–5 ask God to hear a just cause, test the heart, judge from his presence, and keep the speaker’s steps steady; the claims are prayerful appeals for examination, not declarations of absolute sinlessness.
Read carefully
The opening appeal asks God to hear a just cause and a prayer not formed by deceitful lips; sincerity before God matters, but the verse does not prove the speaker is morally flawless. Keep the verse inside its literary unit.
Reflection
Use this verse to bring truthful lament and dependence before God without turning the psalm’s courtroom or combat imagery into self-righteousness, retaliation, or harm.