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 17:1KJV
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Psalms 17:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 17:1 mean?

Psalms 17:1 is David’s earnest request for God to listen to his honest and sincere prayer. David asks the LORD to hear him because he is speaking truthfully, not with deceptive or “feigned” lips.

David, the speaker, is turning to God in a moment of need, emphasizing that his words come from a place of integrity. He is not trying to manipulate or flatter God but is bringing a genuine plea, confident that God values honesty and justice in prayer.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 17:1

  • צֶדֶק (tsedeq, “right”): This word means justice or righteousness. David is appealing to God on the basis of what is just, not just personal desire, highlighting the moral weight of his request.
  • מִרְמָה (mirmah, “feigned”): This word means deceit or falsehood. David stresses that his prayer is not coming from lips that are lying or pretending, which shows his desire for a real, open relationship with God.
  • שְׁמַע (shema, “hear”): This is a strong call for God to listen attentively, not just passively hear. It shows David’s deep longing for God’s attention.

Why Psalms 17:1 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God is only interested in ritual or outward appearances; it shows that sincerity and honesty matter most in prayer.
  • The emphasis on “not out of feigned lips” highlights that God values truthfulness, which is a recurring theme in the Psalms and the wider Bible.
  • By starting the psalm this way, David sets the tone for the rest of his prayer, inviting readers to approach God with the same openness and integrity.

Where else these words appear

“cry” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“feigned” Hebrew H4820 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 27:35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
  • Psalms 43:1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
  • Proverbs 20:23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

“ear” Hebrew H238 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
  • Psalms 141:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

“attend” Hebrew H7181 · used in 45 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  • Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
  • Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.