Psalms 17:3 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

In the night (as Psalms 16:7). — The time of calm reflection and self-examination. Some, however, taking this verse in connection with Psalms 17:15, think the poem was composed at night.

I am purposed. — The Hebrew word presents a difficulty. It is better to take it as a noun — counsels, and here, as generally, evil counsels — and join it to the preceding, not (as in the Authorised Version) the following words.

“Thou hast proved my heart,
Thou hast visited me in the night,
Thou hast found no malice in me,
My mouth doth not transgress, or

It (malice) doth not pass my mouth.”
“I offend” — that is, “neither in thought nor word.” The LXX., Vulg., Syr., Chald., and Arab. versions support this arrangement.

Psalms 17:3

3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.