Heavenly Devotion: Psalm 17 – Apple of Your Eye

(Written by Li Sze Chow)

David wrote Psalm 17 when he was being persecuted by Saul. He was surrounded by enemies and needed assurance that he would be taken care of by God. He asked God to keep him as the “apple of your eye” and hide him in the “shadow of your wings” just like the mother bird protecting her young. With God’s protection, David would prevail over the wicked who tried to destroy him. He will be vindicated as he continuously seeks God wholeheartedly.

God’s protection has far greater purposes than helping us from avoiding pain and suffering. The difference between David’s life and ours is that his enemies were physical, tangible beings with swords and spears while ours are spiritual, invisible beings with words and feelings like rejection, anger, frustration, or jealousy. In either way, the best defence is to take refuge in God and stay clean and pure from sin.

The true measurement of happiness and contentment in life is not in the world but in God’s love and in doing His will. You will find true happiness if you put your relationship with God above earthly riches. The true goal of life is to know God, and the true reward and satisfaction of life is to see God one day when you are awake.

Let’s Read Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart,
    though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
    my mouth has not transgressed.

4 Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths;
    my feet have not stumbled.

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.
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
    with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
    like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
    with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
    from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
    may their children gorge themselves on it,
    and may there be leftovers for their little ones.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
    when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your protection upon my family and my nation. We pray for all Your believers especially those under persecution by the enemies. Keep them safe as the apple of Your eye and hide them under the shadow of Your wings. Open supernatural doors of deliverance and divine protection for Your people who cry out to You at this moment of uncertainty in their country. And we ask for Your judgement against the wicked for their brutality. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.