Psalm Chapter 17

A Prayer of David.

Psalm 17:1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Feigned means to be invented, devised, assumed or imagined. The very opposite of sincerity.

David was saying that his prayer was sincere and from his heart and was not fake in any way. This is the kind of prayer that God will answer. Vain repetitions are just that, vain. God is not impressed with them. Pray from the heart. Two words from the heart are worth more than 10,000 vain repetitions that are usually written by someone else and recited over and over.

Psalm 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

This word equal means impartial and just. This is how the Lord is all the times.

Psalm 17:3 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.

We can determine in our hearts that we will not transgress. The only way possible to live above sin is first to repent of sin and turn to the one who delivers from sin, Jesus Christ. After he forgives and cleanses us from sin, He imparts to us His Holy Spirit to give us the strength to desire not to sin again.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This confession is made from our hearts to the heart of God. It is private. Public confession is scriptural but it is for a different purpose. For salvation we need to seek the Lord one on one. Salvation can come at any time, whether it is in private or in public.

Psalm 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

When we live by the word of God, it will keep us from the path of evil continually. To depart from the word is to open wide the door for the enemy of our souls to walk through. He will devour and destroy all that he can so keep us from inheriting eternal life.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Having the word within our spirit, our innermost being is a great way to avoid returning to sin.

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The word is a cleansing agent and works along with the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us from evil.

Psalm 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

There is another verse that asks the Lord to order my steps. Similar to direct my paths. Its a good thing to ask God for always. There are many verses where the Psalmist asks God to direct His life.

Psalm 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

When one truly desires not to sin against God, there is a way out.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Both testaments have many verses to instruct and teach us to seek God's way and not rely upon our own will power.

1John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

Looking to God continually for strength and power to overcome sin, is necessary. We need His strength and understanding of His word daily. We cannot emphasize the word of God enough. Read, understand, study and meditate on the word daily. It is the way to overcome the bondage of sin and keep it from returning after you have received Jesus as Savior.

Psalm 17:6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 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.

God upholds and delights in those that are determined to trust Him and not fear man. We should continually strive to walk in the fear of God and not the fear of man. We should never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ before our friends, family or strangers. We should be ashamed and repent if we sin but not be ashamed of Jesus Christ.

2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

God is pleased when we seek to understand and study His word.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

God's word is pure and we should not be ashamed of that word or of His ways before those who would criticize or find fault with us over our desire to walk in God's word.

Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

So many nuggets of truth, or many good things are contained in the written word of God.

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

The wicked desire to persecute the ones who trust in the Lord because they are servants and slaves to the enemy of all righteousness, Satan. Many who oppose the righteous do not know who it is that compel them to persecute the believers in Jesus Christ.

Many anti religion or anti God organizations really do not understand why they go after the godly to deny them the rights to do good and share the gospel. They do not understand why they continually uphold the rights of those that do evil. They do not understand who it is that uses them for his evil purposes. The purpose of Satan is the stop the saints of God from spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So when that next door neighbor criticizes you for "being too heavenly minded" or for "bible thumping" or for being a fanatic, remember who is behind their attacks. It is not them but Satan. An exception would be of course, if you really are walking in a religious spirit and have fallen away from your first love in Jesus Christ. Usually though, if you are doing that Satan will leave you alone. You are already accomplishing his purpose.

Peter explains this further:

1Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Christ suffered the accusations and persecution of men and He did not deserve the persecution. We need to make sure that if we are criticized or persecuted, it is because we are doing good not evil.

1Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

If someone criticizes you for your Christian walk and your walk is not good but evil, then this is not from Satan but from someone God is using to show you that you are not where you should be. If you are committing adultery and claiming to be a Christian then any criticism you get will not be persecution for spreading the gospel but that will be chastisement because of your sin.

However, when you are living where you should be and obeying God, then any criticism or persecution is coming from those used by Satan to stop you. You can rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.

Psalm 17:14 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.

All treasure gained in this world, will be left to others. You lose all at the point of natural death. You can't take it with you.

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Again we are reminded what things are the most important and should be our priority.

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

A true child of God will seek treasures in Heaven and not be consumed with treasure on earth. One day those that trust in the Lord will behold the face of God when they leave this world. We shall awake with His likeness. David gave us a glimpse of eternal life in this Psalm. We can also be in His likeness spiritually now. Through the Holy Spirit and yielding to the Holy Spirit we can be in His likeness in a spiritual sense. I'm not talking of taking His place as sovereign God or thinking we are as God but we can become like Him in character and love. -Dorna

Psalm 18

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