Psalm 17

What a wonderful book of hymns we have in the Psalms.  Each one, as in this one, is full of thoughts for meditation by the soul who would long to be renewed in the spirit of his mind.  Each one, as with this one, perfectly describes the deep things of the human heart in a way unmatched in any other literary piece.

This Psalm comes out of the inevitable conflict of the wicked and righteous (Psalm 1).  It is a prayer in which the Psalmist asks the Lord’s vindication of his situation.  In other words, he is leaving vengeance with God.  It is a situation in which the Psalmist maintains his own integrity (“a just cause”, v1), something that God Himself has proven (v3).  His integrity even extends to his own words, the area of greatest difficulty for God’s people (James 3:1-12).

David understands the two roads that Jesus referred to (Matt. 7:13-14): the broad path that leads to destruction he has avoided (v4), and instead has walked in “Your paths” (v5), the narrow road fraught with difficulty.  Because of the difficulty he is concerned with slipping, and knows he cannot keep his own way but must have the help of God.  Do not miss the obvious but often neglected means by which God helps: it is “by the word of Your lips” that David has kept on the straight and narrow.   The sword of the Spirit, the hammer and fire that pulverizes and incinerates wickedness, the living and powerful two-edged sword that pierces to the deepest part of the inner man, the inspired word that reproves and instructs and perfects, is ever the daily food of the righteous! 

The wicked who oppress the man of God are like hungry lions (1 Peter 5:8).  Thus David prays for protection as one who trusts in God (v7).  The two figures in v8 reveal a confidence in the compassionate God.  “The apple of Your eye” calls to mind how our Creator has provided protection for the most delicate and necessary part of our body.  Set in a boney cirque, hedged by the brow, hidden instinctively by the lash-lined lid, cleansed and lubricated by tears, and covered by the fast-healing cornea, the protection of the eye is a magnificent work of our Maker.  

To be “under the shadow of Your wings” is probably a picture from creation as well.  Jesus referred to this in Matt. 23:37 as “a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.”  The fact that His words are a lament over Jerusalem who refused the protection reminds us that this protection is provided by God but we must avail ourselves of that protection by faith, by trusting in the words of His mouth.  There is another possibility that David refers to the wings of the cherubim that cover the mercy seat and the Ark of the Covenant in the holy of holies.  To be under the shadow of these wings is a prayer for continued experience of the presence of God.

Both of these pictures speak of God’s compassion that He cares deeply for His own.  How unlike the wicked whose “fat hearts” (v10; horded riches and luxuries) are closed up to those around them.  Their problem is classically stated: they “have their portion in this life” (v14).  Their satisfactions are limited to the belly which God Himself, as Creator and Sustainer, has provided for.  The most long-term goal they have is to have a legacy through their children who will inherit all their cherished possessions.

How unlike those whose Portion is God (Ps. 16:5).  Their satisfaction is bound up in His righteousness; it will be enough to be like Him (Ps. 17:15).  This is a theme that is prominent in the New Testament, that of likeness to Christ.  It is our calling (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:4-5), the hope that purifies (1 John 3:2-3), and the joyous privilege of bearing the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2).  But it goes back to the Law: “you shall be holy, for I am holy” (e.g. Lev. 11:44-45).  This is the cry of humanity, created in the image of God, to be free from the sin that separates us from God that we might be satisfied in His likeness.  Even David knew that the Law itself could only describe this likeness; it could not produce it.  Like Moses who saw the glory of God and was transformed, so David longed to “see Your face in righteousness” that he might be satisfied “in Your likeness.”  

Let us consider these things seriously.  Let us not waste time on our own vindication but leave that with God.  Rather may we be devoted our calling, to being transformed into the image of God’s Son!