Over the span of Psalm 17:3–5, the examination of David moves from the heart
to the mouth
to the ways and steps of David. He declares his righteousness in his thoughts, words, and deeds. Thus, his earlier claim that he prays with lips free of deceit
would be proved true by the divine examination.1
3 Si tu sondes mon cœur, si tu le visites la nuit,Si tu m'éprouves, tu ne trouveras rien:Ma pensée n'est pas autre que ce qui sort de ma bouche.