Psalm 17 (Listen)
17:1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!
3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O LORD,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
Devotional:
Protect me as the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 17:8 CSB).
Israel’s King David writes this Psalm as he is surrounded by his enemies. Still, his commitment is to honor God but he feels deeply his need for the Lord’s help and protection. So he prays, “Protect me as the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Where in your life do you need the Lord’s help and protection today? Pray that the Lord will keep you as the pupil of his eye and that he will hide you in the shadow of his wings. Be assured, along with David, that the Lord will hear your prayer and that one day you will behold the Lord’s face in righteousness (Psalm 17:15).
Pray it: Father, I ask you that you would protect me from the evil attacks of the enemy on this world and on my life. Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. Amen.
Share it: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.