What does the Bible say about the justified sinner's prayer?

The justified sinner's prayer, as illustrated in Psalm 17, is characterized by earnestness, sincerity, and boldness. This prayer is not a mere formality; it calls for God to attend to the cries of the believer with a genuine heart. The repetition in the opening verse—'hear,' 'attend,' 'give ear'—indicates the fervent nature of the prayer. The justified sinner recognizes that their approach to God must lean on the righteousness of Christ, acknowledging their own inadequacies and need for mercy.

Furthermore, the sincerity of this prayer is crucial; it must come from a heart that is guileless and true, echoing the psalmist’s plea that ensures the prayer is not uttered from feigned lips. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that true worshippers must worship in spirit and truth, reflecting a genuine relationship with God. Lastly, boldness in prayer is illustrated as the sinner comes not on their own merit but under the banner of Christ's righteousness, confident that God will hear them because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. Thus, this prayer is both a humble request for mercy and an exaltation of Christ’s works.