Psalm 17 is an individual lament by a person who is suffering and unjustly accused wrongdoing, similar to Psalm 7, and asks God for vindication to bring the Psalmist innocence to light.

1-2 – This is the request for vindication.

3-5 – Here the Psalmist claims he is innocent of any wrongdoing. He asserts that he is a godly man whose ways are blameless.

6-9 – The Psalmist asks for an answer to his prayer and then specifies the request for protection against violent adversaries. Poetic metaphors, hide me in the shadow of your wings and keep me as the apple of your eye. See Deuteronomy 32:10.

10-12 – The wicked enemies have no pity. Their hearts are closed, and they speak arrogantly, eagerly looking for an opportunity to destroy the Psalmist.

13-14 – The Psalmist asks for to defeat the wicked attackers. The only reward for these wicked people will be in this life, and even that will be given to their children as inheritance when they are but infants, marking an early death.

15 – In contrast, the Psalmist expresses confidence in that because of his own blameless ways, after death he will awake from the sleep of death and behold the face of God.