This chapter is titled 'in the shadow of Your wings and it's a Prayer written by David'
Psalm 17:1-7 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.
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.17.1-7.ESV
The First 7 verses of this chapter, King David seem to be pleading to God to vindicate him, at thesame time he was telling God how He had tried his heart and find nothing. This can be understood as him having a contrite heart, not holding on to anything that is not of the will of God.
And this in a way correlates with Mark 11:25 which says 'whenever you stand to pray, forgive, of you have anything against anyone, so that your father also who is in heaven may forgive your tresspasses.'
It's not surprising that David was a man after God's heart he new the principles to follow before approaching the throne of God. David clearly stated with Confidence that he knows that God will answer him and show him steadfast love and he sought his refuge in God under the the right hand of God. The right hand of God signifies protection, salvation, omnipotence and mighty power of God.
It is important to understand the nature of God and principles of approaching God on prayers according to His words.
From verse 8 -15
Psalm 17:8-15 ESV
[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.
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.17.8-15.ESV
David asked God to keep him as the apple of His eyes. We all know that without the eyes a person cannot physically have vision, so in a way David was asking God to make Him his vision. In another understanding we can say David was asking God to make him his center of focus and protection. No one will wait for anything to affect their eyes because it will automatically limit their visions.
David knew only God could save him from the hands of the wicked that was after him, he knew that only God could deliver him from the roaring of the lion. I can imagine this was a prayer he made before facing Goliath in battle.
To summarize these chapter, it teaches us to always depend on God's protection and feel free to let Him know the areas we want Him to protect us, and guide us. It is also significantly important not to hide sin in our hearts if we want God to come through for us like He did for David.
Psalms 18
This Psalms is titled ' The Lord is My Rock and My Fortress' it's a Psalm of appreciation to God from David when God saved him from the hands of his Enemies.
Verse 1 - 25
David expressed his love to God for protecting him, he went into the details of how death was around him yet God saved him. How God came swiftly to His rescue, how the voice of God thundered in heavens and He rained hailstones and coals of fire on the enemies. How God drew him out of many waters, how God dealt with him according to his (David's) righteousness and how he showed mercy to the merciful and blameless to the blameless man.
From these 25 verses, I can see that David knew how to praise God, he eulogised God from the depth of his mind. His factory reset if I can use that was to appreciate God with in-depth desire and reverence. He took account of what God had done and how God continues to prove to Him that He is with him. It is important to take records of what God had done for us because it will encourage us to appreciate Him more. It will help us focus on His finished work, when challenges arise. You can always remember how faithful God is.
Verse 26 - 50
The remaining verses were not just eulogy but, David explained how God shows himself to people exactly how the people present themselves to Him (God). So to the purified, God is pure, but he brings the haughty eyes down while he saves the humble. Which means you can't live in deceit and expect to get the best out of God. Again it reminds me of where the Bible says you can't serve God and mammon according to Matthew 6:24.
David went ahead to eulogise God further on all the creations of God, how God enabled him (David) to pursue the enemy, overtake them and consume them this is referring to 1 Samuel 30:8.
David concluded this chapter by appreciating God for the Salvation He brought to him(David), His steadfast love upon him and his family.
Again, David knew how to serve God no wonder he was a man after God's heart. As a believer learn to understand the nature of God, His principles and appreciate Him always. May the Lord guide us all in Jesus name amen.
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