Psalms 17:1-15 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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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.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 17:1

Psalms 17:1-15

1 Hear the right,a O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slipb not.

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9 From the wicked that oppressc me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12 Liked as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O LORD, disappointe him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.