Read Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.
3 Though you probe my heart,
though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
my mouth has not transgressed.
4 Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Go Deeper
In this psalm we find David pleading his innocence before God, begging for protection from the enemies that have surrounded him and want to destroy him. He says, “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.” David clearly feels the reality of this attack and its impending nature.
If we’re honest, it’s sometimes difficult to relate to psalms like this in the Bible. David was on the run from literal enemies who were seeking to end his life. None of us have enemies like this. We may have a workplace rival or a “frenemy” or someone who cut us off in traffic, but for the most part, we don’t have a physical enemy like David did. How do we even apply these psalms to our lives? First Peter 5:8 tells us that we do have an Enemy who, just like David’s enemies, “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Our enemy may not be physically surrounding us, but he is present and he is active and he is out for our destruction.
Our disadvantage is the fact that we can’t see our enemy the way David could see his. In this psalm David is literally running for his life, hiding, taking cover from his enemy. We are the opposite. We don’t see a physical enemy right in front of us, so therefore, we don’t run, or even walk briskly away from the one who is out to get us. Unfortunately, being unaware of our enemy’s presence and turning a blind eye to his schemes, doesn’t make him any less destructive in our lives. Ignorance isn’t bliss. Instead, ignoring the reality that we are in a battle for our souls gives the enemy a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27).
But don’t be afraid. Like we see David do in this Psalm, we can call out to God to deliver us. And He will save us with His right hand, give us refuge from our enemy, keep us as the apple of His eye, and hide us in the shadow of His wings. And, one day, when our battle here on earth is finally done, we will awake fully satisfied in His presence.
Questions
- How often do you think about the fact that you are in a battle for your soul? Why are we so oblivious to Satan’s attacks in our life?
- How are we supposed to fight back against the enemy? What are our weapons?
- How have you seen God deliver you from the enemy’s attacks in your life? Is there an area in your life where you need Him to deliver you now?
Keep Digging
Psalm 17 is an example of one of David’s prayers that he prayed. As we read his prayer, we have an opportunity to pray the psalms ourselves.
Check out this article from The Gospel Coalition about the importance of praying the psalms.
5 responses to “Psalm 17”
As I read David’s prayer I could sense the deep agony of his soul. He first examined his own heart/motives before calling on the Lord. He assessed his bleak situation and cried out to the one who would:
•hear his plea
•answer him
•vindicate him
•show him great love
•confront his enemy
•save him
•satisfy him
David reminds us that God is not passive but ever active on behalf of those who fear him. I’m in awe of how great our God is!
David is again lamenting. He is asking God to deliver him from his enemies. ” David asks to be held with tender protection, using two phrases famous even outside of Scripture. What English translators often render as “the apple of your eye” is literally a reference to the pupil: the central spot of the eyeball. This is arguably the most closely protected part of our body, guarded from even the slightest touch. In a similar way, David appeals to the image of a mother bird using her wings to shield her children (Psalm 17:6–8).” https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/17/Psalms-chapter-17.html David also knows that he loves God and God loves him back so he is expectant to see and hear from Him.
God thank You that You see me. Thank You for the minutes of this day. God help me to look to You before any of the worlds answers. God illuminate Your word for clarity. God thank You for loving me and helping me to love others. God thank You for comfort, peace and joy. Thank You for the knowledge that soon and very soon I will meet You face to face. That makes my heart leap with joy and happiness. God thank You for Your grace and mercies being new every morning to love You in these minutes of this day and to serve others in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!
Great comments on “enemies”. Even though I don’t have anyone trying to kill me, there are still people from whom I need protection!
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
What a great picture of intimacy with God!
When we walk with integrity and stay close to God, we can go to Him in honest prayer with confidence knowing He sees us, hears us and protects us.
Praying we all feel covered, seen and secure in Him today.
no matter the circumstances around us, God is still God and Jesus Christ our savior, redeemer, and mediator is still God’s only begotten son seated at the right hand of God calling us to follow him for he is the way, truth, and life. May I continue to follow my lord and savior every day of my life.