Psalms 17:1-15

17:1-2 | David claimed to be representing a just cause, asking for a fair ruling in God’s court.

17:3 | Like Job, David did not claim he never sinned, but only that he was innocent of the kind of sin that would warrant his present difficulty. Sometimes personal difficulties are caused by personal sin, but not always (1 Pet. 1:6-7). When a person has remained faithful and obedient and still faces trouble, the wise response is to appeal honestly to God, who is just and loving.

17:8-9 | The apple of the eye refers to the pupil, or, as the Hebrew language calls it, “the daughter of the eye.” God places the eye in a well-protected position; it stands surrounded by projecting bones. Likewise, the righteous are in a protected position, no matter how deadly or wicked the enemy.

17:10-12 | These verses apply powerful imagery to demonstrate what sort of people were troubling David. Closed up their fat hearts was a colloquialism for being insensitive. David’s enemies were ruthless and lacking compassion, waiting to tear away at his life, much like a lion would his prey. Yet David knew that God could protect him, even from such bloodthirsty people. God is able to shield all His children from those who seek to do them harm.