Psalms 17:8

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

Psalms 17:8 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
The Message Bible (MSG)
8 Keep your eye on me; hide me under your cool wing feathers
American Standard Version (ASV)
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
8 Guard me as if I were the pupil in your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 Guard me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
8 Take good care of me, just as you would take care of your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Psalms 17:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 17:8

Keep me as the apple of the eye
Which is weak and tender, and is hurt and put to pain, and made uneasy by every little thing that annoys it, and than which nothing is more dear to a man, or he is more careful of preserving from being hurt; and fitly represents the weak estate and condition of God's people, his affection for them, and tender care of them; who as he has provided tunics for the eye, and guarded it with eyebrows, so he has taken care for the safety of his dear children, ( Deuteronomy 32:10 ) ( Zechariah 2:8 ) ;

hide me under the shadow of thy wings;
alluding either to the wings of the cherubim over the mercy seat, where God granted his presence; so the Targum paraphrases it,

``under the shadow of thy Shechinah hide me;''

or to birds, who cover their young ones with their wings to save them from birds of prey; see ( Psalms 91:1 Psalms 91:4 ) ( Isaiah 30:5 ) ( Matthew 23:37 ) . From such passages perhaps the Heathens had their notion of presenting their gods with wings F6.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 Vid. Cuperi Apotheos. Homer. p. 169

Psalms 17:8 In-Context

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.

Related Articles

Cross References 4

  • 1. S Numbers 6:24
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 32:10; Proverbs 7:2
  • 3. Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20; Psalms 32:7
  • 4. Ruth 2:12; Psalms 36:7; Psalms 63:7; Isaiah 34:15
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