"You have tested my heart"
Day 117 – Psalm 17
“You have tested my heart” Psalm 17:3a
SELF-EXAMINATION
How did David dare to make such a strong plea to God? One of the things we must assume that David did was to practise self-examination (Psalm 7:3-5 – This is a safe assumption if we remember that there is an intricate linkage among the psalms. Thus Psalm 17 must be read with Psalm 7 and Psalm 9 in mind).
GOD’S EXAMINATION
David was fully aware that God would do more than just hear petitions. Before He delivers His judgment, He would not fail to examine the very heart of the petitioner.
“You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
Psalm 17:3
1. “You have tested my heart”
This was something that David expected from his knowledge and experience with God! God would test both the words and the heart of David before judgment.
2. “You have visited me in the night”
a) This is a reference to the thoroughness of God examining the heart.
b) He will visit when least expected (perhaps late at night).
3. “You have tried me and have found nothing”
a) David expected God to check him out vigorously.
b) But he was confident that God would not find him guilty-
i) Of deceit
ii) Of guile
4. “I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
a) David would never take advantage of his favoured position with God (nor could he).
b) He would stand and be judged as any other petitioner.
c) The difference would be that he determined he would not transgress through deceit.