Psalms 17:2

2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

Psalms 17:2 in Other Translations

KJV
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
ESV
2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!
NLT
2 Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right.
MSG
2 Show the world I'm innocent - in your heart you know I am.
CSB
2 Let my vindication come from You, [for] You see what is right.

Psalms 17:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 17:2

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence
Not of condemnation, such as came forth from God and passed on Adam and all his posterity, ( Romans 5:12 Romans 5:18 ) ; though such an one was executed on Christ, as he was the surety and representative of his people; but of justification, which came forth from God and passed on Christ, when he rose from the dead, and upon his people in him, ( 1 Timothy 3:16 ) ( Romans 4:25 ) . Here it chiefly designs the vindication of the innocence of the psalmist before men; and his request is, that as he was fully persuaded that he was clear of the things he was charged with in the sight of God, that he would openly and publicly make him appear so before men; that he would bring forth his righteousness as the light, and his judgment as the noonday, ( Psalms 37:6 ) ; and of which he made no doubt but he would; so Christ, though he was traduced by men, knew he should be justified by his Father, and by his children, ( Isaiah 50:8 ) ( Matthew 11:19 ) ;

let thine eyes behold the things that are equal;
which is not to be understood barely of the eyes of his omniscience; for these behold things both equal and unequal, good and evil, things which agree and disagree with the law of God, the rule of righteousness and equity; but of his approbation of them, and that he would some way or other testify that approbation; for the petition intends the favouring of his just and equal cause, and making it to appear to be so.

Psalms 17:2 In-Context

1 Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.
3 Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.
4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 24:5; Psalms 26:1; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 50:8-9; Isaiah 54:17
  • 2. Psalms 99:4
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