Psalm 17 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
Verse 2From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.
Verse 3If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.
Verse 4As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
Verse 5My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Verse 6I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.
Verse 7Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
Verse 8Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
Verse 9from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.
Verse 10They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
Verse 11They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
Verse 12They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
Verse 13Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them! By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
Verse 14from mortals-by your hand, O Lord- from mortals whose portion in life is in this world. May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their little ones.
Verse 15As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
Devotion
A literal translation of Psalm 17:8 would be something like, “Keep me like the iris in your eye.” This means that the object and ability to see it needs to be one. The image of being hidden in a bird’s wings says this as well. These sentiments may sound cozy, but they challenge God to be near. The request emerges from a sense of fear of an enemy that seems dangerous. Helplessness seems like an unhealthy experience. For many of us, God serves as a partner in our lives, rather than our only help. If God becomes our help only when we cannot help ourselves, we have reduced God to our personal valet. The Psalmist teaches us to reach for a relationship with God in which we depend upon God. Voicing our helplessness shows God that we do not rely upon our competence only; that we don’t use God to stop gaps in our ability. We need to stay close to God to enable ourselves to work effectively.
Prayer
Guard us sleeping and guide us waking. That awake we may work with you. And asleep we may rest in peace. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)