Psalms 17:1 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Hear the right, O Lord Hebrew, צדק, tzedek, righteousness, that is, my righteous cause, or me, who, notwithstanding all their accusations, and slanders, am righteous in my conduct toward them and all men. Attend unto my cry My fervent prayer, attended with strong cries. That goeth not out of feigned lips Hebrew, שׁפתי מרמה, shipthee mirmah, lips of deceit, or of guile, which speak one thing when the heart knows and designs another. This profession of his sincerity in his words fitly makes way for his solemn appeal to God, in the following verses.