Q W 1-6. I('ānī) = As for me. The righteous sufferer.
X i 7,8. Prayer for deliverance.
k 9. From enemies.
l 10,11. Description of them.
Y 12-. Comparison. Lion.
Y -12. Comparison. Young lion.
X i 13-. Prayer for deliverance.
k -13,14-. From enemies.
l -14. Description of them.
W 15. I('ānī) = As for me. The righteous sufferer.
W m 1.2. Prayer. "Hear me." ("Your eyes".)
n 3,4. Purpose. Mouth not transgress.
n 5. Purpose. Footsteps not slip.
m 6. Prayer. "Hear me." ("Your ear".)
Psalm 17)
1 Hear the righteousness, (cp. v.15)
O LORD (Yahaveh), attend to my cry,
give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of guileless lips.
2 From Your presence my judgment will come:
Your eyes will discern upright ones.
3 You have proved my heart; You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me, and shall find nothing; (None but Christ could say this. See John 14:30.)
I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men (Heb. 'ādām), by the word of Your lips
I have marked the paths of the oppressor (or violent one. Only here in the Psalms).
5 Hold up my goings in Your tracks (or ruts),
that my footsteps slip not.
6 I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O GOD (El):
incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew Your marvelous loving-kindness, O You that save by Your right hand
them which flee for refuge in You
from those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye,
You will hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the lawless ones that oppress me,
from the foes of my soul, who compass me about.
10 They are inclosed in their own fat:
with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our ways(or goings):
they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey,
and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O LORD, anticipate him, cast him down:
deliver me myself from a lawless one, which is Your sword:
14 From men which are Your hand, O LORD,
from men of the world (Heb. heled. The world as being transitory. See 49:1), which have their portion in this life,
and whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure (or secret thing):
Let them be full with sons,
and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I will behold Your face (see Ex. 23:15; 34:20) in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied, when I awake from the sleep of resurrection (this prayer in view of 16:9-11. Resurrection of the body is the true inheritance), with Your appearing (or a vision of You. Cp 1 John 3:2.).