Prayer Out of Feigned Lips
Peter Bales. Psalm 17:1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer, that goes not out of feigned lips.… It is observable that the eagle soareth on high, little intending to fly to heaven, but to gain her prey; and so it is that many do carry a great deal of seeming devotion in lifting up their eyes towards heaven; but they do it only to accomplish with more ease, safety, and applause their wicked designs here on earth; such as without are Catos, within Neros; hear them, no man better; search and try them, no man worse; they have Jacob's voice, but Esau's hands; they profess like saints, but practise like Satans; they have their long prayers, but short prayings; they are like apothecaries gallipots — having without the title of some excellent preservative, but within they are full of deadly poison; counterfeit holiness is their cloak for all manner of villanies, and the midwife to bring forth all their devilish designs. (Peter Bales.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Prayer of David.} Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. WEB: Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.