A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com
sentence--acquitting judgment.
from thy presence--Thy tribunal.
things that are equal--just and right, do Thou regard.
proved . . . visited . . . tried--His character was most rigidly tested, at all times, and by all methods, affliction and others (Psa 7:10).
purposed that, &c.--or, my mouth does not exceed my purpose; I am sincere.
works of men--sinful practices.
by the word of thy lips--as a guide (Psa 119:9, Psa 119:11, Psa 119:95).
destroyer--violent man.
May be read as an assertion "my steps or goings have held on to Thy paths."
wilt hear me--that is, graciously (Psa 3:4).
Show--set apart as special and eminent (Exo 8:18; Psa 4:3).
thy right hand--for Thy power.
Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in His sight, in Deu 32:10-11; Mat 23:37.
compass me--(compare Psa 118:10-12).
enclosed . . . fat--are become proud in prosperity, and insolent to God (Deu 32:15; Psa 73:7).
They pursue us as beasts tracking their prey.
The figure made more special by that of a lion lurking.
disappoint--literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Psa 17:13), and "hand" (Psa 17:14). These denote God's power.
men . . . world--all men of this present time. They appear, by fulness of bread and large families, to be prosperous; but (Psa 17:15) he implies this will be transient, contrasting his better portion in a joyful union with God hereafter.