Day 885: The hiding place - Psalm 17 (A prayer of David)

1-2 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just! Listen to my cry. Hear my prayer - it does not rise from deceitful lips. 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. 4-5 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.

6-7 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. 8-9 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10-12 They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover. 13-14 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked. 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. Psalm 17 From the New International Version

For Christians living in countries where the gospel has been steadily accepted in society - even if not believed by all - the words of this Psalm won't have the same impact that it’ll have in countries where Christians face great hostility. What was at the heart of this prayer by David to God? (vs 8-9)

He was seeking God's protection in a time of great peril. It wasn't a case of just a little bit of mocking by unbelievers. How does he describe them in vs 10-12?

They were out to get him and do him bodily harm. That's not something Christians in the West often experience, but can be very real for Christians in countries where other religions hold sway. History is full of accounts of Christians being killed by Hindus, Muslims and pagan tribes. They have also suffered terribly in the hands of Communist regimes. At such times it may seem that God did not give them the protection David was asking for. But his prayer to be 'as the apple of God's eye' is well answered in the words of Psalm 116:15 where we read “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

But this Psalm can pose a puzzle when we consider David's response to those attacking him, to that which a man named Stephen gave as he was being stoned to death by a similar hostile crowd. We read in Acts 7:60 that “falling to his knees, Stephen cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, don't hold this sin against them.'” But what was David's prayer in vs 13-14?

David was asking God to give them what they justly deserved for their wickedness. Stephen, however, was living in days when God had just demonstrated to the world how amazing His grace is. So David's prayer reminds us of what cruel people deserve, and will indeed receive if they don't repent. Stephen's prayer points to a mercy that cruel people don't deserve, but which is available even to them if they turn from sin to trust in Christ.

Going back to vs 1-5, what gave David confidence at this stage of his life to seek God's help?

It seems the Psalm was written before his terrible adulterous episode, and the homicide he was guilty of. It was at a time when he was walking obediently with a clear conscience. What a difference that can make to our prayers. We know David repented of his latter sins and found forgiveness. So the words we read in vs 15 would be true of him. When Stephen was stoned to death we are told in Acts that 'he fell asleep'. And, like David, he too would find vs 15 fulfilled in his life. It describes the ultimate hiding place and refuge from this worlds trials.