Psalms — Chapter 17
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1Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
14From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
1Hear the right, O Jehovah, attend unto my cry; Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; Let thine eyes look upon equity.
3Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
5My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.
6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: Incline thine ear unto me, [and] hear my speech.
7Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that take refuge [in thee ]From those that rise up [against them].
8Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.
10They are inclosed in their own fat: With their mouth they speak proudly.
11They have now compassed us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast [us] down to the earth.
12He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword;
14From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is in [this] life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with [beholding] thy form. Psalm 18 For the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David the servant of Jehovah, who spake unto Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said,
1A prayer of David. Lord, consider my just cause. Pay attention to my cry for help. Listen to the prayer I sincerely offer.
2Make a just decision on my behalf. Decide what is right.
3You have scrutinized my inner motives; you have examined me during the night. You have carefully evaluated me, but you find no sin. I am determined I will say nothing sinful.
4As for the actions of people— just as you have commanded, I have not followed in the footsteps of violent men.
5I carefully obey your commands; I do not deviate from them.
6I call to you because you will answer me, O God. Listen to me! Hear what I say!
7Accomplish awesome, faithful deeds, you who powerfully deliver those who look to you for protection from their enemies.
8Protect me as you would protect the pupil of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
9Protect me from the wicked men who attack me, my enemies who crowd around me for the kill.
10They are calloused; they speak arrogantly.
11They attack me, now they surround me; they intend to throw me to the ground.
12He is like a lion that wants to tear its prey to bits, like a young lion crouching in hidden places.
13Rise up, Lord! Confront him. Knock him down. Use your sword to rescue me from the wicked man.
14Lord, use your power to deliver me from these murderers, from the murderers of this world. They enjoy prosperity; you overwhelm them with the riches they desire. They have many children, and leave their wealth to their offspring.
15As for me, because I am innocent I will see your face; when I awake you will reveal yourself to me.
1Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
2Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
3You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
4As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
5My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
6I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
7Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
8Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
10They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
11They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
12He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
14from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.
15As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
Summary
An individual lament — David appeals to God's justice, professing his integrity under testing, and prays for deliverance from the wicked; he will be satisfied when he awakes with God's likeness.
Authorship & Background
- Appeal Based on Innocence (vv.1-5)
- Petition for Protection (vv.6-9)
- Description of Enemies (vv.10-12)
- Prayer for Deliverance (vv.13-14)
- David's Ultimate Satisfaction (v.15)
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Reflection
- 1. You are the apple of God's eye (v.8). The most instinctively protected part of the body is the pupil. God guards you with that same reflexive, immediate, total protection. You are not peripheral to Him — you are central.
- 2. Two satisfactions, two destinies (vv.14-15). The worldly person is full NOW — children, wealth, inheritance. David's satisfaction comes LATER — at awakening, in God's likeness. Which satisfaction are you pursuing? One ends at death; the other begins at resurrection.
- 3. God tests in the night (v.3). Your true character is revealed when no one is watching — "in the night seasons." What you do in private, what you think when alone, how you behave unsupervised — these are the divine tests.
- 4. "I shall be satisfied with thy likeness" (v.15). The ultimate human satisfaction is not comfort, achievement, or pleasure but LIKENESS TO GOD. We were made in His image; we will be restored to it fully. That restoration is what finally satisfies the human soul.
- 5. The shadow of His wings (v.8). In danger, run TO God, not FROM danger. The chick does not fight the hawk — it runs to its mother's wings. God's wings are both refuge and warmth. They protect AND comfort simultaneously.