PSALM 17:
After an initial cry to God (verses 1-2),
--David defends his character and motives (verses 3-5).
--On this basis, he is able to offer his petition, which includes both a beautiful prayer for divine protection (verse 8),
--and a repulsive description of his would-be captors (verses 9-12).
*The request, “Keep me as the apple of the eye” (verse 8), is a petition that God protect David just as a man protects the pupil of his eye, the most sensitive part of the most sensitive member of the body.
David approaches the divine court with 3 clusters of appeals in seeking justice.
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; vs.2
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: vs.6
O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. vs.7
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, vs.14
Hear the right, O LORD,
attend unto my cry,
give ear unto my prayer,
that goeth not out of feigned lips.
vs.1
Psalm 17 is one of three that bear the title “A prayer of David” (also 86 and 142). It is a most appropriate heading since the psalm is rich with words for petition: “hear, attend, unto, give ear,” and so on. After an initial cry to God (verses 1-2),
--David defends his character and motives (verses 3-5).
--On this basis, he is able to offer his petition, which includes both a beautiful prayer for divine protection (verse 8),
--and a repulsive description of his would-be captors (verses 9-12).
*The request, “Keep me as the apple of the eye” (verse 8), is a petition that God protect David just as a man protects the pupil of his eye, the most sensitive part of the most sensitive member of the body.
David approaches the divine court with 3 clusters of appeals in seeking justice.
(1) Appeals Dealing with Response and Recognition (17:1-5).
(2) Appeals Dealing with Rescue and Relief (17:6-12).
A. His Need for Rescue is Presented (17:6-8);
B. His Need for Relief is Documented (17:9-12).
(3) Appeals Dealing with Retribution and Rest (17:13-15).
A. His Anticipation of Their Retribution (17:13-14);
... deliver my soul from the wicked, ... vs.13
B. His Assurance of His Own Rest (17:15).
This is the first psalm simply entitled “A Prayer” .
Keep me as the apple of the eye,
hide me under the shadow of thy wings,...
vs. 8
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