Psalm 17 (ESV)

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.

 

REFLECTION:

1. The psalmist boldly claims innocence and asks for God’s vindication and protection in the face of enemies who want to destroy him.
2. Those who resolve not to sin can have great confidence in prayer. We pray because we expect a God who loves us to act. And God’s eyes are constantly on the believer, watching over him.
3. We are confident that we will see God in prayer. He will listen patiently and we can commit all our things to Him and not be in fear of being interrupted, hurried or stopped.
4. Do you need someone to listen to? To be understood? To be vindicated? Tell God of your needs.  Then thank God with confidence for His listening, understanding and His vindication.

 

PRAYER:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.

 

HYMN:

Apple of Your Eye – www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiJuHAPteqE