Praying Psalm 17

"Come Lord Jesus!”           

What is the title of Psalm 17? A Prayer of David.

Read Psalm 17:1-2

¹ Hear YHWH, righteousness.! Give attention to my cry. Heed/listen to my prayer. From lips of no deceit (I don’t lie…)

2 From before you Let your judgment come out! Let your eyes see the righteous.

What is the Psalmists opening plea? Hear - See -  this righteous man

Read Psalm 17:3-8

³ You examine my heart, you visit in the night, you refine me – Nothing you find. I considered nothing will pass over my mouth.
4 For the works of man by the word of Your lips I, myself keep (avoid) the ways of the violent.
5 To support (put in order) my steps in your entreanchments/ wagon tracks, my feet NOT have they been shaken.
6  I, myself call upon you because you answer me, God. Turn your ear to me and hear my speaking.
7 Show your mercies ("cheseds"), Savior, of the ones who seek refuge, from the ones who rise up in  your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye, in a shadow of your wings hide me.

How does the Psalmist describe his relationship with YHWH?

1 - I am clean - blameless.
2 - My ways have been kept in" wagon tracks" the entranchments that have been worn from years of safe travel. What a beautiful picture of the ways of our faith - keeping us on a well worn path.
3 - I call upon God – expect answer. HE has integrity, GOD will save.
4 - See the Song of Moses Deut. 32:10-11.These are great victory words reminding Israel where they have been with God watching over them. Here the psalmist confesses the same.

Read 17:9-12

9 From before your face, the wicked ones who destroy me, my enemies with  flesh/soul (nephesh)  they surround me!

10 Their fat they shut their mouth they speak majestically.

11 our steps now they surround. Their eyes they set to stretch us to the ground.

12 His likeness is as a lion longing to devour. And as a young lion dwelling in hiding.

What is going on around David?

The enemies are seeking to destroy him.

Read 17:13

¹³ Rise up YHWH, meet/confront his face Cause him to bow down, deliver my body/soul (nephesh) from the wicked by your sword.

What is the prayer for the wicked?

Confront the enemies –  MAKE THEM bow down.
Save ME!

Read 17:14-15

¹⁴  From the men, by your hands, YHWH, from the men from the world, a portion in their life. You fill their womb with your treasure. They are satisfied with sons and give rest their abundance to their children.

¹⁵ I in your righteousness I see your face I am satisfied in waking your likeness.

What are the blessings to the righteous?

They recognize God's good gifts, BUT ultimately they are satisfied with God's righteousness - This means loving both sides of His judgements, comfort and revenge. 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?

Describing relationship with God - Trust, history, wagon tracks of righteouness

Lament for current situation - the enemies surround!!

Prayer for judgement to come - fix this! I am satisfied with your judgement on sin.

How does Christ pray this psalm?

He was clearly in this relationship with God. Evil ones surrounded him, He prayed for judgment, good done to others, and was wholly satisfied with waking in God’s likeness, even to death.

How can we pray this?

We are given this awsome relationship with our God. BUT we have enemies of evil and sin within and around us. We want God's judgement to come. Rise up! Come Lord Jesus! Return and visibly set your judgment before our eyes.

WE PRAY:

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is this done? When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.

Give us this day our daily bread
What does this mean? God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked men; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread? Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.