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Psalm 17 - Vindication of the righteous

Psalm 17

Vindication of the righteous

Introduction
Psalm 17 is a palm written by David, incorporating elements of imprecatory, testimonial and lament Psalms.

Summary
v1-8 God will vindicate the righteous
v9-12 Description of the wicked
v13-14a David's prayer for deliverance
v14b-15 Blessing and satisfaction for God's cherished

Hear a just cause
David opens the Psalm with the concept of righteousness. He elaborates 6 things where he believes he can be proven righteous from.
1. His lips are free from deceit.
2. God has tried his heart and visited him by night.
- The implication here is that God knows David's secrets that are not made known to other men.
3. God has tested him and will find nothing.
- It shows David's steadfastness in the face of trials.
4. Mouth does not transgress.
5. Avoided the ways of the violent by the word of God's lips.
- David admits his need for God to help him in avoiding the ways of the violent. By God's order and blessing , he has done so.
6. Held fast to God's path and not slipped.

Wondrously show your steadfast love
David prays for God to show His love by giving refuge to those who seek it, by keeping him as the apple of His eye, and by hiding him in the shadow of God's wings.
- David seeks God's love as the best thing in this world.
- God probably doesn't have wings. It's just an expression.

From the wicked who assail me
Firstly, David states his enemies are mortal. They pale in comparison to our immortal God. He describes them with 5 main points.
1. Their hearts are closed to pity.
2. They speak arrogantly
- This is most likely in reference to them valuing themselves over God.
3. They want to cast David to the ground.
- That is, to kill him.
4. They are like a lion hungry for prey.
- The wicked are natural predators, waiting to pounce on the weak.
5. Their reward is of this world.
- These people are concerned with the world, and receiving their reward here. They have no share in the kingdom of heaven.

God stills the hunger of those He cherishes
Their sons have plenty - is not a promise of earthly blessings, but instead a promise of not being in want. David elaborates in his final verse - he will be satisfied to see the likeness of God. Remember how it was brought up that God is the ultimate prize? David repeats that here - earthly blessings pale in comparison to the likeness of God.

Question
Do we identify more with the righteous or the wicked?
Have we made a decision to do what is right before God? Do we trust Him to carry us through the task?
If not, why not?

I identify myself closer to the wicked. Many things i do, as hard as i try, i fail to meet the standard of the righteous, and I'm sure many others amongst us do too. The God news is that we have forgiveness in Christ. The bad news is that we are not living in a way that would vindicate us and others as well. We have to be firm in our decision to do what is right - and trust in God's sustenance for us to carry us on to completion.

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