Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 17:3

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 .

Or searched or tried it, by many and fore Temptations and Afflictions, whereby the sincerity or hypocrisie of mens Hearts, are easily and commonly discovered, and especially by thy all-seeing Eye. And that is my great Comfort, that thou art Witness of my innocency.

Thou hast made an inspection and enquiry into my Heart.

Either 1. Metaphorically, (i. e.) in the time of Trouble. Or, 2. properly; when mens minds being freed from the incumbrance and distraction of Business, and from the Presence and Society of men: Which either lays a restraint upon them, or tempts them to use Dissimulation, do act most vigorously and freely, either upon Good or Evil, according to their several inclinations.

Accurately and severely, as Gold-smiths do Metals.

(i. e.) Nothing of unrighteousness, in Heb. shalt not find, To wit, that whereof mine Enemies accuse me, namely Hypocrisie towards thee, and evil design against Saul, covered under fair Pretences, as they alledge. So this general Phrase is to be limited from the Context, as other Generals most frequently are. For he was far from thinking himself Sinless, that he often acknowledgeth his many and great sins, and particularly, that, if God should enter into Iudgment with him, and be severe to mark iniquities, no man living could be justified, Or, stand before him, Psal. 130. [illegible: 1+ letters]3. and 143. 2.

Or, I have resolved upon Deliberation, as the word implies.

I am so far from Practising against Saul's Life, as they charge me, that I will not wrong him so much as in a Word. Some joyn these Words with the next foregoing, and render the place thus, That which I have thought, my mouth shall not transgress, or rather, hath not transgressed; (i. e.) My Thoughts and Words always agree together. Iabhor falshood and Dissimulation.

Marginal references: Ioh. 23 10▪ [illegible: 1 word] 26. 2 Mal. 3. 2, 3. 1 Pet. 1. 7.; Psal. 39. 1.