John Calvin Commentary Psalms 17:2

"Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; Let thine eyes look upon equity." — Psalms 17:2 (ASV)

From the presence of your face. Literally, it is, from before your face, or, before your face. By these words, David suggests that if God does not rise up as the vindicator of his cause, he will be overwhelmed with false accusations though innocent, and will be looked upon as a guilty and condemned person.

The awareness God will take of his cause is implicitly set in opposition to the dark fabrications of falsehood spread against him. His language is as if he had said, "I do not ask for any other judge but God, nor do I shrink from standing before His judgment seat, since I bring with me both a pure heart and a good cause."

What he immediately adds regarding God’s looking upon his uprightness has a similar meaning. He does not mean to say that God is blind, but only implores Him to actually show that He does not overlook the wickedness of men, and that it is not a matter of indifference to Him when He sees those who cannot defend themselves receiving undeserved evil treatment.

Some interpret the word judgment in too restricted a sense as the right to the kingdom promised to David, as if he petitioned to be placed on the royal throne by God's power, since he had been chosen by Him to be king and had also, in His name and by His authority, been anointed to this office by the hand of Samuel. The meaning which I attach to David’s language is simply this: that being oppressed with many and varied wrongs, he commits himself to the protection and defense of God.