Psalm 17 - The Apple of Your eye

Psalm 17 - The Apple of Your eye

Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea;

listen to my cry.

Give ear to my prayer–

it does not rise from deceitful lips.

 May my vindication come from you;

may your eyes see what is right.

 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,

though you test me, you will find nothing;

I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

 As for the deeds of men–

by the word of your lips

I have kept myself

from the ways of the violent.

 My steps have held to your paths;

my feet have not slipped.

 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;

give ear to me and hear my prayer.

 Show the wonder of your great love,

you who save by your right hand

those who take refuge in you from their foes.

 Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

 from the wicked who assail me,

from my mortal enemies who surround me.

 They close up their callous hearts,

and their mouths speak with arrogance.

… NIV

This Psalm is a bit out of order from the previous ones in my blog, but I was feeling a bit out of sorts today, and was encouraged by listening to the Sons of Korah sing Psalm 17.  They chose verse 8 as the theme for their chorus:

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

This Psalm is a tender cry from one who is close to the Lord.  This is not the first time that he has cried out to the Lord, and he is expecting the Lord to hear and answer his prayer.  “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;” is his confident prayer. He has examined his own heart and now invites the Lord to examine him as well, confident that the Lord will find nothing wrong.  This is a confidence that can only come from spending time with the Lord, both praying and listening, until you come to know the Lord’s voice and are confident in His love.

The cry isn’t “make me the apple of Your eye”, but it is “keep me as the apple of your eye”.  The psalmist already knows his place in the Lord, under the shadow of His wing, and is just praying to stay there.  

Are you confident of your place in the Lord?  Do you hide in the shadow of His wing? Lord, hear our prayer, and keep us as the apple of your eye. Amen

Sons of Korah - Apple of Your eye (Psalm 17)