READ: Ps. 17:1–15: … Hear a just cause, O LORD … You have tested my heart … I have kept my steps in Your paths … Incline Your ear to me … Keep me as the apple of Your eye … Deliver my life from the wicked … As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness …
David pleads with the LORD to listen to him. He does so again in a distressing situation in which he knows himself surrounded by ungodly adversaries (v.9). As a child of God, David knows that he may always bring his distress honestly before God’s face. But then there must be no duplicity or deceit in his thoughts and words. He knows that the LORD sees the heart.
On that basis David knows himself to have been tested in his heart (v.3). He has used God’s Word not only to test his thoughts but also his deeds (vv.4–5). Therefore David can also call upon God honestly, not as sinless, but as righteous—one who lives from the forgiveness of sins.
David too can live only by grace; everything, including every prayer, is undeserved. Yet within the covenant David may appeal to God’s hearing of his supplication and to God’s lovingkindness, love and faithfulness. Thus he may even know for certain that the LORD will deliver him from the hands of those who rise up against the LORD (v.7).
Moreover—so runs his plea—is he not the apple of the LORD’s eye? The apple of the eye is a very precious and essential part of the body and at the same time very vulnerable. Therefore extra care is needed to preserve and protect it. Thus David here, as forefather of the promised Christ, is called God’s apple of the eye. This description equally applies to God’s people as the church of Christ (Deut. 32:10; Zech. 2:8).
David compares the violent hostility of his adversaries to that of a roaring lion. Their hearts are directed only toward earthly matters of power and wealth. But with David it is entirely different: his highest desire is to behold in righteousness the gracious face of the LORD. Being justified by the LORD through the atoning work of Christ (Rom. 3:25), David is confident he will experience eternal glory in perfect blessedness.
Do you have this same desire?
Singing: Ps. 17:4,6