Psalms 17:7-15

7 Wondrously show thy steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at thy right hand.

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

9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

11 They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.

12 They are like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Arise, O LORD! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword,

14 from men by thy hand, O LORD, from men whose portion in life is of the world. May their belly be filled with what thou hast stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their babes.

15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding thy form.

Psalms 17:7-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 17

\\<>\\. This prayer was put up by David either in his own person, on his own account, praying to God for the vindication of his cause, and for salvation and deliverance from his enemies; or in the person of the Messiah, whose type he was, and of the whole church, so Jerom of old interpreted it; and the title of it in the Arabic version is, ``a prayer in the person of a perfect man, and of Christ himself, and of everyone that is redeemed by him;'' in which preservation and protection are prayed for, and hope of eternal life is expressed. It was written, according to Theodoret, when David suffered persecution from Saul.