psalm xvii – just and sinner

• In black is a portion of our Psalm, which Christ could pray earnestly on His own merit. It is also what we can pray joyfully by our union with Him.
• In red is my addition, that helps us read this Psalm in light of this Gospel.

Lord, hear a just cause;
from your child in Christ
Pay attention to my cry;
and I know you will
listen to my prayer
for I pray to you as Your Son prays to you
Let my vindication come from you,
for no one but your Son makes me innocent
for You see what is right
that is, you see Christ and not my sin

You have tested my heart
and I have been found lacking
You have examined me at night
when I think I am free to get away with evil
You have tried me and found nothing evil;
as I am pure in your sight by grace through faith in Christ

I have determined that my mouth will not sin concerning what people do
and yet it does often
by the words from your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent
and yet never as pure as your Son has

My steps are on your paths
by the grace of Christ
my feet have not slipped
not by my power, for I stand on the rock of Christ

We pray the Psalms of David as sinners.
We pray the Psalms of David as members of Christ. We pray as simul iustus et peccator, “simultaneously just and sinner.”
We pray as both righteous and sinner, knowing our righteousness flows from Christ while our sin still bubbles up in defiance against our inevitable transformation into the image of Christ (rom 8:29).

Lord, hear a just cause;
pay attention to my cry;
listen to my prayer—
from lips free of deceit.
Let my vindication come from you,
for you see what is right.
You have tested my heart;
you have examined me at night.
You have tried me and found nothing evil;
I have determined that my mouth will not sin
Concerning what people do:
by the words from your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
My steps are on your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

I call on you, God,
because you will answer me;
listen closely to me; hear what I say.
Display the wonders of your faithful love,
Savior of all who seek refuge
from those who rebel against your right hand.
Protect me as the pupil of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
from the wicked who treat me violently,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

They are uncaring;
their mouths speak arrogantly.
They advance against me; now they surround me.
They are determined
to throw me to the ground.
They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.

Rise up, Lord!
Confront him; bring him down.
With your sword, save me from the wicked.
With your hand, Lord, save me from men,
from men of the world
whose portion is in this life:
You fill their bellies with what you have in store;
their sons are satisfied,
and they leave their surplus to their children.

But I will see your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence.

psalm xvii (csb)