Psalm 17 – How New Testament prayers differ from the Old Testament

Do New Testament prayers differ from the Old Testament? But wait - the title says "how" - not "do"! So there must be differences. Aren't we still praying to God? Well, yes. But there are differences between the Old and the New Covenants. Therefore, it's not unreasonable to see differences in the way we pray today.

For instance, we know more about God.

And we know more about salvation and what that means.

Not everything. But more.

So yes, our prayers do differ.

But we can still use David's "prayer" in this Psalm as an example of how to pray.

Psalm 17 

A prayer of David. 

Ps 17:1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; 
 	   listen to my cry. 
 	   Give ear to my prayer—
 	   it does not rise from deceitful lips. 

Ps 17:2 May my vindication come from you; 
 	   may your eyes see what is right. 

Ps 17:3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, 
 	   though you test me, you will find nothing; 
 	   I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. 

Ps 17:4 As for the deeds of men—
 	   by the word of your lips 
	   I have kept myself 
 	   from the ways of the violent. 

Ps 17:5 My steps have held to your paths; 
 	   my feet have not slipped. 

Ps 17:6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; 
 	   give ear to me and hear my prayer. 

Ps 17:7 Show the wonder of your great love, 
 	   you who save by your right hand 
 	   those who take refuge in you from their foes. 

Ps 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; 
 	   hide me in the shadow of your wings 

Ps 17:9 from the wicked who assail me, 
 	   from my mortal enemies who surround me. 

Ps 17:10 They close up their callous hearts, 
 	   and their mouths speak with arrogance. 

Ps 17:11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me, 
 	   with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. 

Ps 17:12 They are like a lion hungry for prey, 
 	   like a great lion crouching in cover. 

Ps 17:13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; 
 	   rescue me from the wicked by your sword. 

Ps 17:14 O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, 
 	   from men of this world whose reward is in this life. 

 	   You still the hunger of those you cherish; 
 	   their sons have plenty, 
 	   and they store up wealth for their children. 

Ps 17:15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face; 
 	   When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. 

Some background on Psalm 17

What kind of a psalm is Psalm 17? ... it is more of a lament than anything else. The psalmist is in danger and is crying to God for protection and deliverance. But mostly Psalm 17 is a prayer. In fact, it is the first psalm explicitly called “a prayer” in the Psalter (“a prayer of David”).