Psalms 17:1 says, A Prayer of David. This psalm is classified as a prayer of David, and verse one says, Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. David asked God to hear his righteous, sincere prayer. When we pray in sincerity, and not with just feigned, or empty, words, God will always hear our prayers. Verse two adds, Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. David asked that God judge his righteousness. Matthew Henry says that Saul would not, but David appealed to God. We may not get a just hearing in the world, but as long as God judges us as being righteous, which comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ, then nothing else matters. Verse three states, Thou 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. David said that God had visited him day and night, and that God had found him to not be filled with transgressions, or sins. We know that David did sin, but he never allowed sin to continue to rule his life. We have all sinned, but when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we should no longer allow sin to rule our life. Verse four adds, Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. David continued to profess his innocence. Verse five declares, Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. David asked God to guide his footsteps on the path of righteousness, and so should we. We need God's guidance each step we take. Verse six says, I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. David said he called on God because he knew God would hear him. When we sincerely call on God to hear our prayers, we can be certain that He will, as long as our prayers are sincere and seek His will for our life. Verse seven adds, Shew 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. David asked God to show His marvellous lovingkindness to him, and through Jesus Christ dying on the cross to provide forgiveness to those who accept His salvation, God has shown His marvellous lovingkindness to everyone. This is true of even those who will not put their faith in Jesus Christ, but it does them no good. Verse eight adds, Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, David asked for God's protection. We need to be like David asked of God, and that is sheltered under His wing. David said his enemies were all around him. We are not the first of God's people to be surrounded by enemies, and we likely don't even have the most enemies around us. This has almost always been the status of God's people. Verse nine adds, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. Verse ten continues, They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. David said that his enemies had grown strong and fat, and that they bragged about their power and riches. We should never become so rich or powerful as followers of Christ that we begin to brag about ourself and not give the glory to God, and we certainly should never use our position to abuse others. Verse eleven says, They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; Verse twelve adds, Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. David compared God's people to those who were surrounded by young ,hungry lions. There was real danger all around them, and in some places more than others there is real danger for Christians today. That is why we need to always look to God for help. Verse thirteen states, Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: David called on God to defeat his enemies. David may have been a great and powerful man, but he recognized that his deliverance came from God. No matter how strong we may be in the eyes of the world, we will always find our strength and deliverance to come from God if we are followers of Christ. Verse fourteen adds, From 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. David said the people of the world were flourishing. Verse fifteen concludes, As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. David then said that no matter what happened, he would behold the righteousness of God and be satisfied. We need to be satisfied with being God's people, even if it seems that those who deny Him are rich and prosperous while we struggle in life.
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