Psalm 17 -- David's Prayer For God To Intervene And Protect

David prayed a prayer for protection in this psalm.  He begged God for fairness and asked for His attention.  David is not claiming to be sinless in verses 2-5, but blameless.  He’s speaking about a specific set of charges against him, not his whole life.

In verses 6-7, he’s positioning himself for God to work in him.  Imagine in verse 8, God protecting David as He would protect His own eye!

My commentary says that the image in verse 13 recalls God moving during the Exodus as the pillar of fire or cloud would move, directing the people to follow.  His enemies were only getting their reward in this life.  Verses 14-15 are one of the few places in the Old Testament that gave any hint of any afterlife.  “Because I have lived right, I will see Your face.  When I wake up [resurrection] , I will see Your likeness and be satisfied,” or in another translation, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”  How awesome that will be!

Father, I too have been attacked recently.  My name has been smeared and my motives have been questioned.  But like David, I can pray in this instance, “You will judge that I am right; Your eyes can see what is true.  You have examined my heart … You questioned me without finding anything wrong … I have obeyed Your commands … I have done what You told me; I have not failed …. Protect me …. Save me…”

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford