Bible Quiz – Psalm 17 (Subjective Questions)

 

Bible Quiz – Psalm 17 (Subjective Questions) 

Ultimate Psalm 17 Quiz: Test Your Bible Scholarship!

Psalm 17 is one of the most profound and theologically rich psalms in Scripture. It blends lament, petition, and confident hope, with imagery ranging from the intimate (“apple of the eye”) to the eschatological (“when I awake, I shall be satisfied with thy likeness”). This quiz is designed for readers who love a challenge—from in-depth textual analysis to theological cross-references.

Whether you are a student, pastor, or lifelong Bible enthusiast, this is your chance to probe the nuances of David’s prayer, divine justice, covenantal faithfulness, and eschatological hope.

 

📋 How to Take This Quiz

This quiz is divided into four progressive sections. Each section increases in difficulty and depth, so pace yourself and think critically.

 

Subjective Questions with Reference Verses

Focus on understanding David’s words and intentions.

Answer in your own words, but use the Scripture references provided to support your answers.

 

EXTREME / Scholar-Level Questions

Designed to push your theological and literary analysis skills.

Requires knowledge of Hebrew terms, literary structures, covenant theology, and eschatology.

 

💡 Tips for Quiz Success

Read each verse carefully; context matters.

Think theologically, not just literally.

Cross-reference Scripture when needed—Psalm 17 often echoes themes from the Law, the Prophets, and the New Testament.

Take notes as you go—many questions build on earlier ones.

 

Bible Quiz – Psalm 17 (Subjective Questions)

 

Q1. How does David describe the nature of his prayer at the beginning of Psalm 17, and what does this reveal about his conscience?

Answer:

David describes his prayer as sincere, truthful, and coming from lips free of deceit. This reveals his clear conscience and confidence that his plea is just before God.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:1, KJV):

“Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.”

 

Q2. What does David ask God to do in regard to judgment, and on what basis does he make this request?

Answer:

David asks God to judge him righteously, based on divine examination rather than human opinion, trusting God’s perfect justice.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:2, KJV):

“Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.”

 

Q3. How does David describe God’s testing of his heart, and what result does he claim from this testing?

Answer:

David states that God has examined him thoroughly—by night, by testing, and by trial—and found no wicked intent in him.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:3, KJV):

“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.”

 

Q4. What role does God’s Word play in keeping David from violent paths?

Answer:

God’s Word acts as a moral safeguard, restraining David from following destructive or violent ways.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:4, KJV):

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”

 

Q5. What does David ask God to do with his steps, and why is this request important?

Answer:

David asks God to uphold and direct his steps so that he does not slip, emphasizing dependence on divine guidance.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:5, KJV):

“Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”

 

Q6. How does David express his confidence that God will answer his prayer?

Answer:

David expresses unwavering faith that God hears and responds to sincere prayer.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:6, KJV):

“I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.”

 

Q7. What metaphor does David use to describe God’s protection, and what does it signify?

Answer:

David uses the imagery of the “apple of the eye” and shelter under God’s wings, symbolizing intimate care, protection, and value.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:8, KJV):

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”

 

Q8. How does David describe his enemies and their attitude toward him?

Answer:

David portrays his enemies as cruel, proud, and unmerciful, pursuing him relentlessly.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:10, KJV):

“They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.”

 

Q9. What contrast does David make between worldly men and the righteous regarding satisfaction?

Answer:

David contrasts men who seek satisfaction in earthly wealth with the righteous who find true fulfillment in God.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:14, KJV):

“From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure…”

 

Q10. What is David’s ultimate hope and reward according to the closing verse of Psalm 17?

Answer:

David’s ultimate hope is to behold God’s face in righteousness and be fully satisfied upon awakening in God’s likeness.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:15, KJV):

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

 

✨ Key Themes Reinforced in This Quiz

Integrity in prayer

Divine justice

God’s protection

Contrast between worldly and eternal satisfaction

Hope of resurrection and righteousness

 

EXTREME / Scholar-level Psalm 17 questions

 

Q1. Psalm 17 opens with a threefold petition (“hear… attend… give ear”). How does this rhetorical intensification function within Hebrew lament structure?

Answer:

The threefold petition reflects climactic parallelism, intensifying urgency and underscoring the gravity of the plea. It also signals a formal legal appeal motif, positioning God as judge.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:1, KJV):

“Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.”

 

Q2. How does Psalm 17 employ forensic (courtroom) language, and what does this suggest about David’s theological understanding of God?

Answer:

Terms like sentence, prove, tried, and judge depict God as the supreme righteous adjudicator, affirming divine justice transcending human courts.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:2, KJV):

“Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.”

 

Q3. In Psalm 17:3, how does nocturnal divine visitation deepen the claim of moral integrity?

Answer:

Night symbolizes the absence of public performance; divine testing in secrecy authenticates inner righteousness rather than external conformity.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:3, KJV):

“Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing…”

 

Q4. How does Psalm 17:4 articulate an early theology of Scripture as ethical restraint?

Answer:

The verse presents God’s spoken word as an active moral boundary that restrains human behavior, anticipating later doctrines of Scripture as sanctifying agent.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:4, KJV):

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”

 

Q5. What is the theological significance of “hold up my goings” in relation to human responsibility and divine sovereignty?

Answer:

The verse balances human obedience with divine preservation, asserting that perseverance in righteousness depends on God’s sustaining grace.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:5, KJV):

“Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”

 

Q6. Psalm 17:7 uses the phrase “marvellous lovingkindness.” How does this term (ḥesed) function covenantally?

Answer:

Ḥesed denotes loyal, covenant-faithful love, emphasizing God’s steadfast commitment to those who trust Him, beyond mere emotional compassion.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:7, KJV):

“Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee…”

 

Q7. What is the theological depth of the metaphor “apple of the eye” in Psalm 17:8?

Answer:

The metaphor conveys extreme preciousness and vulnerability, indicating God’s intimate protection over the righteous as something fiercely guarded.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:8, KJV):

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”

 

Q8. How does Psalm 17 portray the enemies’ prosperity as theological irony rather than divine approval?

Answer:

Their abundance is depicted as temporal and empty, serving as an implicit critique of material blessing divorced from righteousness.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:14, KJV):

“From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life…”

 

Q9. In Psalm 17:11–12, what predatory imagery is employed, and how does it shape the psalm’s emotional intensity?

Answer:

The enemies are likened to lions stalking prey, intensifying the sense of imminent danger and the need for divine intervention.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:12, KJV):

“Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”

 

Q10. How does Psalm 17:15 contribute to Old Testament eschatological thought?

Answer:

The verse hints at post-mortem hope and transformation, anticipating resurrection theology and ultimate satisfaction in divine likeness.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:15, KJV):

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

 

Q11. Contrast Psalm 17’s theology of satisfaction with that of Psalm 73.

Answer:

Both psalms reject material prosperity as ultimate fulfillment, affirming God Himself as the true source of lasting satisfaction.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:15, KJV):

“I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

 

Q12. Why is Psalm 17 often classified as both a lament and a confidence psalm?

Answer:

It moves from distress and appeal to assured hope and eschatological confidence, blending petition with unwavering trust.

Reference Verse (Psalm 17:15, KJV):

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness…”

 

Psalm 17 functions as a covenant lawsuit

Righteousness is examined, not assumed

Worldly prosperity ≠ divine favor

Hope extends beyond death into transformative vision

 

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