Welcome! Psalm 17:1-7 & 15 are on this coming Sunday’s lectionary. They’re beautiful verses so we’re going to take a short walk through them and see if we can learn something. I’m glad you’re here. Let’s go.
I’m going to go to 8 because it’s too good to stop at 7.
First, let’s pray:
Father I ask for eyes to see these words and understand what they should mean to all of us. I ask for the words to write and the assurance that You have shown us all we can learn on this short walk through most of the verses in this chapter. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Psalm 17:1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
Honesty. The best prayers are those from honest lips. Yes, we can cry out to God in our anguish and pain, we can plead for vindication like David is about to do, but even in our pain and sorrow, let every word be true. He is all-knowing. He knows those who are His. He hears the prayers of His people.
Psalm 17:2 Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.
Psalm 17:3 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.
Our God is a deliverer, a refuge, our rock and mighty warrior. He can and will vindicate us. And He does test us, probe us to make us more like Christ every day. May He find no evil plans within us and may our mouths never transgress.
Psalm 17:4 Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
Focus. Following His commands will never lead us astray. Keep His words in the forefront of your mind and you will never stumble into the ways of the violent.
Psalm 17:5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
See, focus on God and your feet will not stumble. Walk in His paths and He will make your feet like a deer, like a mountain goat.
Psalm 17:6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17:7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Assurance. God hears. God will answer. His love is wonder-filled and greater than anything we know. Take refuge in Him and you will be saved, for His right hand is able to keep you from all harm.
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
The faithful are the apple of God’s eye. Isn’t that such a blessed thought? Hide me, yes, hide me in the shadow of your wings, my ever lasting refuge.
Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
The assurance of answers. Of protection, and blessing forever.
Praise the Lord!