Psalms 17

Psalms 17:1-15

God’ s True Servants Safely Kept Psalms 17:1-15 This also dates from the Sauline persecutions. In the earlier verses David protests his innocence, pleads for deliverance from his foes, and ends with glad anticipation of the vision of God. The psalm may have been composed for use at eventide; two at least of its verses point in that direction, Psalms 17:3; Psalms 15:1-5. What a comfort it is to appeal from the accusations of men to the judgment-bar of God! Yet our sufferings at their hands are God’ s smelting-furnace. The Hebrew word translated tried is “ melted,” Psalms 17:3. But we cannot be kept without constant use of God’ s Word, Psalms 17:4. And then how safe we are! The apple of the eye-that is, the pupil-is defended by eye lash, lid, brow, bony socket, and uplifted arm. Thy wings, see Deuteronomy 32:11. Note the contrast between Psalms 17:14 and Psalms 16:5; Psalms 16:11. The worldly are filled with this world-I with thee. They look for the things of this life-I for the unseen and eternal. They are satisfied with children-I with thy likeness.

I shall be satisfied!This prayer dates from the Sauline persecutions. In the earlier verses David protests his innocence, and then proceeds to plead for deliverance from his foes, ending with glad anticipations of his vision of God’s face. It may have been composed for use at eventide. Two verses point in that direction (Psalms 17:3-15).

Psalms 17:1-5 Protestations of integrity. What a comfort to appeal from the accusations of men to the judgment-bar of God! Even if behavior has been unwise God judges the motive and heart. The Hebrew word “tried” is “melted” (tzaraph); as gold is tried in the furnace and found to have no dross. But we can have no hope of preserving our integrity and keeping from the paths of the transgressor unless we avail ourselves of God’s Word to test and direct our goings. Use the Royal Guide-book if you would keep on the King’s highway.

Psalms 17:6-14 Prayer for deliverance.How safe we are! As the apple of the eye: the pupil of the eye is defended by eyelash, lid, brow, bony socket, the swiftly-uplifted hand (comp.Zechariah 2:8). Thy wings: the eaglet is gathered under the wing of the parent bird (Deuteronomy 32:11; Exodus 19:4). The R.V. gives a better sense of Psa 17:13-14 : “by thy sword,” “by thy hand.” What a striking contrast there is between Psalms 17:14 and Psalms 16:5; Psalms 16:11.

Psalms 17:15 Glad anticipation. They are filled with this world–I with Thee: they look for the things of this life–I with the eternal and unseen: they satisfied with children–I with thy likeness (1 Corinthians 15:49; Philippians 3:21). We shall never be perfectly satisfied with anything less than the beatific vision. Most of that rapturous vision is veiled from sight; but when it shall be unveiled, it will be approved.