Bible Commentaries
Psalms 17

Verses 1-15

Psalms 17

A PETITION FOR JUSTICE AND PROTECTION

Verses 1-15:

This is a prayer of David when he was threatened by his enemies, perhaps often repeated by him, through his many bitter battles, as a man of war.

Verses 1, 2 relate David’s cry for the Lord to attend to his cry for the cause of right or justice, and he asks that the Lord give heed to his prayer that was offered through honest lips, not out of feigned or pretended trust or sincerity, 1 John 3:22; Psalms 66:18; Job 27:8-9; John 1:47-48; Revelation 14:5. David asked further that his own sentence, in vindication of his own righteous cause, come forth from the Lord by delivering him before or in the very presence of his enemies. He believe that the Lord’s eyes beheld or looked favorably only upon the righteous, as being of equal integrity with God, through the Messiah.

Verses 3, 4 declare that the Lord had tried, tested, or proved the, heart of David, having visited him in the night and had found or would find nothing in his heart unconfessed. And he vowed that he would not transgress with his mouth, in words of whining, self-pity, or complaining under suffering. He had also resolved to lie not, gossip not, slander not, backbite not, stir not up any strife, or use not profanity. May more of God’s people resolve daily to "transgress not" with the mouth. As David had guarded his lips from the ways of the destroyer, so should we, Psalms 119:11; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 4:7; Matthew 4:10; John 17:17; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 9:11.

Verse 5 is a Davidic exhortation for the Lord to hold up or sustain his footsteps that they might not slip into wrong, in the way. Tho he claimed to have kept from or avoided the ways of the destroyer, he realized that it is not in his own power, but by the grace of God he can keep on walking daily in paths of right. He therefore asks for Divine strength to help him, day by day, to work out the grace God had worked in him, as expressed Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:15-16; Philippians 2:12-13.

Verses 6, 7 appeal to the Lord to "incline his ear," or lean over intently and listen to his appeal, even as he had done in the past, and had faith that He would keep doing. He earnestly besought Him to single out or demonstrate to him his loving kindness, as the one who saves or delivers by his right hand (hand of defense) of strength, those who put their trust in Him, from those who rise up against them, to oppress and destroy: For those who rise up to persecute the people of God really rise up against God Himself, John 15:19-25.

Verse 8, 9 further call upon the Lord to keep David as or like the "apple of his eye," the most sensitive part that needs protection, and hide or shelter him under the shadow, warm, intimate safety of His wings of care or protection. For he confessed such was needed to make him safe from the wicked who oppressed him, deadly enemies, who encircled him, with bloody-murder in their hearts and instruments of destruction in their hands. Like Jeremiah he realized that but for "mercy-cares" of the Lord he would be consumed every day, La 3:22, 23; Deuteronomy 32:10; To touch holy people of God is to touch the "apple of His eye," Zechariah 2:8. To be kept under the Lord’s wings suggested the mighty eagle or the humble hen’s protecting their young and helpless from all manner of harm, as set forth Deuteronomy 32:11; Matthew 23:37.

Verses 10,11 describe the behavior of David’s deadly, murderous enemies as enclosed in their own fat of plenty, speaking proudly, boastfully against David as king of Israel and the holy people of Zion and Jerusalem. They were spiritually hardened, callous, obstinate, in obese rebellion against God, in their external, temporary prosperity, Deuteronomy 32:15; Job 15:27; Psalms 63:7; Psalms 119:70.
Verse 11 describes them with "set-eyes," bowing down to the earth, unable to look God’s people in the eye because of their deceitful and treacherous hearts and covetous purpose to dethrone David and set up a new dynasty of their own kings, Psalms 10:8-10.

Verse 12 adds that these enemies of David, Israel, and God are like a lion greedy for prey, to tear in pieces and destroy to satisfy his own appetite. Thus the wicked is compared with a carnivorous, ravenous beast, and as a young lion lurking in the shadows to spring upon his prey, Psalms 17:9; 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Verses 13, 14 relate David’s continuing prayer for the Lord to respond to his need, to rise up (in judgment) and disappoint his enemy, by tripping him up, casting him down, or subduing him. He asked that the Lord deliver him from immediate danger of the wicked by drawing His sword of destruction against him, as expressed Psalms 7:11-13.
Verse 14 adds that these wicked men are or exist of the world, by the hand of the Lord in whom they live, who have their daily portion by His mercies, who fills their bellies with His own treasures, for which they are ingrates, Acts 17:28. It is observed that their children are full and leave the rest of their substance with their babes after them, Psalms 127:3; Psalms 128:3-4; Job 21:11.

Verse 15 concludes that David expected to behold the Lord’s face in righteousness, in a future life, beyond the grave, Job 19:23-27; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2. Then he added that he would be satisfied upon awaking in the likeness of the Lord, Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2; Colossians 3:4.

"When I look upon His face

That will be glory, glory for me."