This prayer psalm of the individual concerns Yahweh’s judgment and enemies like a pride of lions who threaten the speaker. It opens with a prayer to have a hearing with God and for him to pass his final judgment or verdict (vv. 1–2). It then declares the speaker’s innocence by confessing that Yahweh has already “examined” him (contra NIV; vv. 3–5). The next section prays for refuge (vv. 6–8), and the following lament makes the reason plain: the wicked hunt him down (vv. 9–12). The final section prays for rescue (vv. 13–14) and closes with a confession of trust that the speaker will have the right to face God (v. 15).

Psalm 17 shares some similarities with Psalm 7 and so could reflect a similar situation of personal accusation. But, unlike Psalm 7, it contains no clear suggestion the speake…