Connected with the words no deceit
in Psalm 17:1, he gives a further explanation: you have tested me. God is the One who searches our hearts. The heart has a central function; all decisions are made with it. Those decisions can be good, but also wrong (see Matthew 15:19).
The words, you have visited me by night,
suggest that Psalm 17 is an evening prayer (see also Psalm 17:15).
When he says, you will find nothing,
he means that you will not find injustice with him, and in what he says, he will do his best to not do wrong. He emphasizes that one’s mouth is guided by one’s heart.
In Psalm 17:4, the author explains that people can do all kinds of things in their lives, such as criminals who commit burglary, steal, or use violence; but he sticks to God’s words and so avoid the ways of the violent. God’s Word is a lamp on our life’s path (Psalm 119:1–176).
If we look at Psalm 17:3–5, we notice a certain progress: my heart is right, my mouth and lips also walk in the way of the Lord; and this also applies to my actions—my walk of life is also in line with God’s Word. In these verses, the author distances himself from his opponents; they are later mentioned more extensively (see Psalm 17:9–12). He does not say that he is without sin, that he is pure, and definitely not that he shows the style of the later Pharisees. He knows that his heart lies open before God and that he walks the way of God with love. He does not show haughtiness or self-justification (compare Psalm 18:24–25).
In Isaiah, we read about a form of hypocrisy: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men
(Isaiah 29:13). Justice is not earned. However, biblically speaking, one can speak of being justified for or by faith that is visible in works, see James 2:24: You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Justice and truth are important concepts in God’s kingdom. The Hebrew emet
is related to amen
; to be trustworthy. In Isaac’s tent, a conflict was already brewing which could grow into justice versus injustice. In Genesis 25:27–28 we read: “When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” In the servant of Isaiah we see Jesus, and connecting with our subject, we read in Isaiah 53:9: And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
In the New Testament, we also encounter a conflict like the one in our Psalm: followers of Jesus and persecutors. In John 16:33, Jesus warns his disciples I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Paul also had numerous opponents. He defends himself in Acts 24:13–16 against them and fights to have a clear conscience himself.
3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.