Thank you for the interpretive question on Psalm 7:17, “In PSALM 7:17, what is meant by “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: And will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”?
According to the Analytical Key to the Old Testament, Psalm 7:17 says this in Hebrew, “I will give thanks to YAHWEH due to his righteousness and I will sing praise to the name of YAHWEH the Most High.”
For one’s consideration, the English translation may give the nuisance that David will praise the LORD God according to his righteousness that is subjective. It may be perceived by David or the readers that God’s righteousness is inadequate or not truly righteous at all. It leaves the possibility that God may not be righteous at all. It depends on how one translates and understands the phrase, “according to his righteousness as being absolutely righteous or having a capricious righteousness.
As one reads the whole Psalm, the word, righteousness is cited five times. David is asking God to judge the righteousness and integrity of his heart. He has not committed evil against them. “LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—4 if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.” David asks God to examine his heart and mind to see if there is any wicked way in him. He believes that he is unjustly being assaulted or attacked without any justification from his enemy.
Thus, David is asking God, the righteous God, to look at the heart of both men and judge according to their actions and according to holiness of God. He is asking God to intervene in his behalf for he is helpless before his enemy.
Verses 8–9 states this, “Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. 9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.”
If God had a capricious righteousness that is subjective and changes like the wind, David could not be assured that God will judge rightly, vindicating him and judging the evil person. There is an assumption on David’s part that God is holy and God’s actions are righteous, not evil in any manner.
Thus the translation, “due to his righteousness” is a better wording and avoids misinterpretation of the nature of God.
Summary: God is holy and his actions are absolutely righteous.
-Kingston