시편 Chapter 17

Translation: ESV

1

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

Key Message

Prayer offered on a righteous basis and with a sincere heart reaches God.

▸Psalm 17 is a petition psalm appealing to God's righteous judgment.

Psalm 17 is a petition psalm appealing to God's righteous judgment. 'A just cause' (tsedeq) is a declaration that his prayer rests on a righteous basis, and 'lips free of deceit' emphasizes the sincerity of the prayer. This shows that the sincerity of prayer becomes the basis for seeking God's answer.

6

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Key Message

The courage to pray comes from the assurance that God answers, and this assurance sustains continued prayer.

▸The logic 'I called because God will answer' is interesting.

8

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Key Message

God cherishes the believer as the apple of his eye and protects them under the shadow of his wings — this protection is precise and complete.

▸'The apple of your eye' (Hebrew: ishon bat ayin — 'daughter of the eye') refers to the pupil, the most precious part of the eye.

15

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Key Message

The believer's ultimate satisfaction is beholding God's face, which is the highest blessing to be realized in eternal life.

▸This is the conclusion and climax of Psalm 17, declaring in contrast to the enemies' abundance (v.