In the Shadow of Your Wings

Continuing a chronological Bible study:

(Psalm 17:1) (A Prayer of David) Hear the right, O Lord, attend to my cry, give ear to my prayer not out of feigned lips.

David was still hiding out from Saul in strong holds at En Gedi when we last left him.  He may have composed this psalm at that time.  He prayed that the Lord hear the cry of the righteous, which is how the word that was translated as "right" is usually interpreted.  He asked that the Lord hearken to and regard his prayer that came from honest lips, not deceitful ones.

(2) Let my sentence come forth from Your presence; let Your eyes behold the things that are equal.

David asked God to pronounce a sentence in his case.  He prayed that the Lord consider what was just and right.

(3) You have proved my heart; You have visited in the night; You have tried me and shall find nothing; I am purposed my mouth shall not transgress.

David said that the Lord had examined his heart, even in the secret quiet times of the night.  The Lord had tried David.  The word translated as "tried" meant more precisely "refined."  The Lord had tried and refined David as he was subjected to many trials.  I believe there is always something sinful to be found in us flawed humans, like perhaps pride in the fact we think we are sinless.  As 1 John 1:8 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."  However, I believe that David meant in this case he had done nothing wrong to deserve his enemies' treatment of him.  In fact, he had purposed within himself not to do or say evil against Saul and his men who sought his life.

(4) Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept from the paths of the destroyer.

With respect to the works or doings of men, God's word had preserved David and had kept him from falling into the hands of the destroyer, the devil and his evil minions.

(5) Hold up my goings in Your paths, that my footsteps do not slip.

David prayed that the Lord uphold and support him in His ways, in the way he should go, that he not slip and fall into sin and danger.

(6) I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; incline Your ear to me, my speech.

David called upon the Lord because he knew He would hear him.  He had confidence that the Lord would hear the words that he spoke.

(7) Show Your marvelous lovingkindness, O You who save by Your right hand those who put their trust from those who rise up.

David asked that the Lord show His "marvelous" loving kindness, more precisely "distinguished, separated," as only the Lord could do, over and above what could be imagined by mere men, the Lord who saved those who put their trust in Him against those who would rise up against them.

(8) Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Your wings, (9) From the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies compassing me about.

David asked that the Lord protect him as one would protect the tender pupils of their eyes, hide him under His protective wings as a mother hen would protect her chicks.  David asked for that protection from the wicked men who oppressed him and surrounded him.

(10) They are enclosed in their own fat; with their mouth they speak proudly.

Fat often referred to wealth and power, which Saul certainly had, but I believe David referred more to their pride and vanity.  They were puffed up with pride and self-righteousness as the stomach might be with fat, and therefore they spoke 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 is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

David's enemies surrounded him and his small army wherever they went, intently following their tracks like a hunter or like a lion tracking its prey, lurking in secret places ready to pounce and seize its prey at once.

(13) Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked with Your sword. 

David prayed that the Lord rise up and frustrate or thwart his enemy's plans.  He asked the Lord to deliver him from the hand of his enemy with His sword which could mean any divine instrument or method the Lord used.  

(14) From men Your hand, O Lord, from men of the world who have their portion in this life and whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure; they are full of children and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

David prayed that the Lord deliver him by His hand from men who had their portion only among the living, meaning they had nothing to look forward to in the afterlife.  The Lord gave them what they wanted.  All things either come from the Lord or are permitted by Him, so in that respect He filled them with secret treasures on earth to be left to their children, but they had laid up no treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

(15) As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness.

In contrast to his enemies who sought only worldly goods, David would look to the Lord.  He would be completely satisfied to awake every morning to His Lord.  However, the meaning is surely deeper, in that David would be more than satisfied to awake from the dead in the presence of His Lord.