Psalms 17:3
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.
Original Language Analysis
בָּ֘חַ֤נְתָּ
Thou hast proved
H974
בָּ֘חַ֤נְתָּ
Thou hast proved
Strong's:
H974
Word #:
1 of 11
to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
לִבִּ֨י׀
mine heart
H3820
לִבִּ֨י׀
mine heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
2 of 11
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
פָּ֘קַ֤דְתָּ
thou hast visited
H6485
פָּ֘קַ֤דְתָּ
thou hast visited
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
3 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לַּ֗יְלָה
me in the night
H3915
לַּ֗יְלָה
me in the night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
צְרַפְתַּ֥נִי
thou hast tried
H6884
צְרַפְתַּ֥נִי
thou hast tried
Strong's:
H6884
Word #:
5 of 11
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
בַל
H1077
בַל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
תִּמְצָ֑א
me and shalt find
H4672
תִּמְצָ֑א
me and shalt find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
Cross References
Psalms 39:1I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.Job 23:10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.Acts 11:23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.Psalms 26:2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:Psalms 66:10For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.Psalms 16:7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.Psalms 119:106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.Psalms 11:5The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.Psalms 139:1O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Historical Context
Reflects ancient metallurgy where fire purified precious metals by burning away impurities—a common biblical metaphor for divine testing and sanctification.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you view trials—as obstacles or as God's refining process?
- What does your speech under pressure reveal about your heart's condition?
Analysis & Commentary
David submits to God's testing: 'You have tried my heart.' The Hebrew 'bachan' (tried/tested) suggests refining metal. God's night visitation and testing by fire found nothing—David resolved that his mouth would not transgress. This parallels Job's confidence in divine testing (Job 23:10) and anticipates Peter's teaching that trials prove faith's genuineness (1 Peter 1:7). Reformed theology sees trials as God's sanctifying means.