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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Psalm Chapter 17

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: David, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and the Sons of Korah
Date Penned: (1440-586 BC)
Overview: Poetry for the Expression of Praise and Worship to God (c 1-150)
Theme: The First Book of Psalms (c 1-41)
Message: a plea for justice (v 1-15)

Psalms 17 Commentary

(17:1-7) a pure Relationship With God - Was David saying he was sinless? Far from a proud assumption of purity, David's claim was an understanding of his relationship with God. In Psalms 32 and 51, David freely acknowledged his own sins. Nevertheless, his relationship with God was one of close fellowship and constant repentance and forgiveness. His claim to goodness, therefore, was based on his constant desire to closely follow God. Our life circumstances may cause us to question whether we are living up to God's standards for us. Like David, we can ask God to show his love to us. If life seems bleak and overwhelming, ask God to remind you of his love for you today. His reminder may come from a friend, a song you hear, the beauty of his creation, or a Bible verse he brings to your mind. When you notice it, recognize it as a way God has chosen to communicate with you, and thank him for this sign of his love. Just as we protect our eyes, God will protect us. We must not conclude, however, that we have somehow missed God's protection if we experience troubles. God's protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain; it is to make us better servants for him. One way God protects us is by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them.

 

(17:8) Shadow of Thy Wings -The "shadow of thy wings" is a figure of speech symbolizing God's protection. He guards us just as a mother bird protects her young by covering them with her wings. Moses used this same metaphor to describe God in Deuteronomy 32:11.


(17:13-15) True Happiness - We deceive ourselves when we measure our happiness or satisfaction in life by the amount of wealth we possess. When you put riches at the top of your value system, you let power, pleasure, and financial security overshadow the eternal value of your relationship with God. Sometimes we think we will be happy or content when we get riches, only to discover that they don't really satisfy and that their pleasures fade away. The true measure of happiness or satisfaction is found in God's love and in doing his will. You will find true satisfaction if you put your relationship with God above earthly riches.


(17:15) Awake - The word awake shows that David believed in life after death. Although belief in resurrection was not widespread in Old Testament times, several verses show that it was partially understood. Some of these are Job 19:25-27; Psalms 16:10; 49:15; Isaiah 26:19; and Daniel 12:2,13.



Dave Burnette's Life Application

Seeing the Face of God



Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter, making application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Psalm with Chapter 17. In our text today, we see a theme of a plea for justice in the face of false accusations and persecution. David urges us to realize the true goal of life - to know God - and the true reward of life - to see God one Day. David wrote this Psalm when being persecuted by Saul, so not only did he pen it - David lived it. In making applications, we see a goal for our lives. To one day see God through Salvation and to live now by knowing God. David realized that by walking with God, he could know God. Today we can know God through prayer, reading His Word, and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit that will guide us into all truth. How about you? Are you saved? If so, do you walk with God through prayer, His Word. and being sensitive to the indwelling Holy Spirit? Let us learn from our text today and the wisdom from David to know God so we will one day see the face of God.

 

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Psalm 17

Psalm 17

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

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

 3Thou 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.

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

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

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

 7Shew 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 14From 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.

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