Psalm 17 is “The prayer of David” for protection: “Keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.” It ends with a hope that looks beyond death: “I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.” In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 16. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 17 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.
Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.
Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night, thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.
That my mouth may not speak the works of men: for the sake of the words of thy lips, I have kept hard ways.
Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved.
I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.
Shew forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust in thee.
From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.
From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul:
They have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly.
They have cast me forth and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth.
They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a young lion dwelling in secret places.
Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul from the wicked one: thy sword
From the enemies of thy hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life: their belly is filled from thy hidden stores. They are full of children: and they have left to their little ones the rest of their substance.
But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.
Psalm 17 or Psalm 16?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 16 is Psalm 17 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Exaudi, Domine, iustitiam meam. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- An honest plea: the psalmist asks God to examine his heart.
- “Keep me, as the apple of thy eye”: God guards us as carefully as we protect the pupil of our eye.
- Under his wings: like a bird sheltering her young.
- Not like the worldly: the wicked are satisfied with earthly goods.
- Seeing God’s face: “I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear,” a hope of eternal life.
How the Church uses Psalm 17
- At Night Prayer: the traditional Compline prayed “Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of thy eye; protect us under the shadow of thy wings.” See Compline and Catholic night prayers.
- In the Liturgy of the Hours.
A prayer with Psalm 17
Written for this page:
Lord, hear my plea and listen to my cry.
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Guard me tonight and every night from all that would harm me.
When I wake, let me be satisfied with the vision of your face. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Where is “Keep me as the apple of your eye”?
Psalm 17:8 (16:8 in the Douay-Rheims).
What does “the apple of your eye” mean?
The pupil of the eye, which we guard most carefully. God protects us with the same tender care.
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 16 (17), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.