17:3Was David saying he was sinless? Far from a proud assumption of purity, David’s claim was an understanding of his relationship with God. In Psalms 32 and 51, David freely acknowledged his own sins. Nevertheless his relationship with God was one of close fellowship and constant repentance and forgiveness. His claim to goodness, therefore, was based on his continual seeking after God.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 17
Psalm 17
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 857, 858
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
17Psalm 17
1OQ LORD, hear my plea for justice.Listen to my cry for help.Pay attention to my prayer,for it comes from honest lips.
2Declare me innocent,for you see those who do right.
3You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.Tam determined not to sin in what I say.
4[have followed your commands,which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
5My steps have stayed on your path;[have not wavered from following you.
6Tam praying to you because I know you will answer, 0 God.Bend down and listen as I pray.
7Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.By your mighty power you rescuethose who seek refuge from their enemies.
8Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.*Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
9Protect me from wicked people who attack me,from murderous enemies who surround me.
10They are without pity.Listen to their boasting!
11They track me down and surround me,watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.
12They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—like young lions hiding in ambush.
13Arise, O LORD!Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
14By the power of your hand, O LORD,destroy those who look to this world for their reward.But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.May their children have plenty,leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
15Because I am righteous, I will see you.When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.Theme: Gratitude for deliverance and victory. The only sure way to be delivered fromsurrounding evil is to call upon God for help and strength.
Textual footnotes
- life, / and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Compare Acts 2:28.
- 17:8 Hebrew as the pupil of your eye.
Life Application Notes 5 notes
17:8Just as we protect our eyes, so God will protect us. We must not conclude, however, that we have somehow missed God’s protection if we experience troubles. God’s protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain; it is to make us better servants for him. God also protects us by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them.
17:8The “shadow of your wings” is a figure of speech symbolizing God’s protection. He guards us just as a mother bird protects her young by covering them with her wings. Moses used a similar metaphor in Deuteronomy 32:11.
17:13-15We deceive ourselves when we measure our happiness or contentment in life by the amount of wealth we possess. When we put riches at the top of our value system, we fet power, pleasure, and financial security overshadow the eternal value of our relationship with God. We think we will be happy or content when we get riches, only to discover that they don't really satisfy, and the pleasures fade away. The true measurement of happiness or contentment is found in God’s love and in doing his will. You will find true happiness if you put your relationship with God above earthly riches.
17:15The word awake shows that David believed in life after death. Although beliet in resurrection was not widespread in Old Testament times, several verses show that it was partially understood. Some of these are Job 19:25-27; Psalms 16:10: 49:15; 139:17, 18: Isaiah 26:19; and Daniel 12:2, 13.