Psalm 17

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;
listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2 May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4 As for the deeds of men—
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself
from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show the wonder 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 assail 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 great lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

14 O LORD, by your hand save me from such men,
from men of this world whose reward is in this life.
You still the hunger of those you cherish;
their sons have plenty,
and they store up wealth for their children.

15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Observation
What are some of the key idea or word that has been repeated throughout the Psalm?

The threefold request to God in v1 and v2 show the urgency of the situation. David
a. asked God to hear his righteous plea,
b. to listen to him, and,
c. to give ear to his prayer. [+]

The prayer of a righteous man (v1 to v5)
a. This prayer does not come from someone who was unrighteous or hypocritical (v1-2)
b. David maintained that if God examined him, he would be found pure, as he resolved... not to sin, to live righteously before God, resolved in his heart to serve and obey God. (v3)
c. David had kept himself separate from the ways of those who destroy. He patterned his life after God’s Word, held to God’s path and had not slipped away. (v3-v5)

David prayed for protection from the world (v6 to v12)
a. David prayed to be kept from evil people in the world, based on God’s loyal love for him. He saves those who take refuge in Him. (v6 to v7)
b. David prayed that he would be kept in the center of God’s watchful care. (v8)

• The apple of the eye, God’s direct and careful attention
• The shadows of your wings, God’s care and protection

c. David delineated the nature of the wicked in an effort to motivate God to action. (v9 to v12)

Despite David’s present persecution by worldly men, he looked to the prospect of a glorious future (v13 to v15)
a. David’s urgent prayer for the Lord to rise up and deliver him from these wicked people, who persecuted the righteous in a number of ways, physically and verbally. (v14a)
b. David called on God’s sword to rescue him – God at times uses human armies to punish nations. (v13b)
c. David anticipated a far greater blessing for himself and others
- satisfied appetite
- wealth for their children
d. In righteousness, he would see God’s face, when he awake, he will be satisfied with seeing God’s likeness.

Verse 13 to verse 15 were contrasting the destruction of the wicked, who lives their lives without God, with his life, which was lived in God’s grace.

What was told about God?
a. God who answer (v6),
b. God with unfailing love (v7),
c. God who saves those who take refuge in Him (v7)
d. God gives watchful care (v8)

Interpretation
Background:

In this Psalm, David was conscious of his own integrity while enemies surrounded him whose portion was in his life only. He prayed to be kept from the evil world that oppressed him as he looked to a glorious future in the Lord’s presence.

This psalm is similar to Psalm 16 in many ways. But the is a major difference. In Psalm 16, David was aware of the danger in the background, but his faith encouraged him not to fear. However in Psalm 17, the danger was pressing in on him, so urgently needed God’s help.

Q: What is the theme?
A: David prayer to be kept from the evil world, and into the glorious future in the Lord’s presence.

Q: What is the key verse?
A: Verse 15 - "And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness."

Application
In time of persecution, pray and ask God to help us. God is the judge and he allows the enemies or situation to mould you to be more Christ like. Therefore do not react or retaliate, be patient and be teachable.

Source
• The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Old Testament; Cook)
• The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan