Dwell in the Word: Psalm 17
Contemplate these questions as you dwell in Psalm 17:
1. How does Psalm 17 reflect the psalmist’s confidence in God’s protection and steadfast love amidst unjust accusations and distress?
2. In what ways does David’s understanding of God’s covenant faithfulness provide hope and assurance for future generations, as seen in Psalm 17?
3. How does the fulfillment of God’s covenant faithfulness through Jesus Christ deepen our understanding and application of Psalm 17 in our own lives?
Transcript:
Here in Psalm 17, we find a prayer of David and we again see a psalm where the psalmist is in distress and this psalm is a psalm of lament. These tend to unfold in a very similar way when we come across them. These types of psalms generally open with crying out to God. This is then followed by the psalmist declaring innocence in that situation, the 1 that's causing this distress that is making them cry out to God. And then there is a resolution by the psalmist that they will trust that God will protect and defend them. As I read through this psalm, I'm guessing that you could relate to the feelings that were being expressed in it. We've all been in a situation where we're being wronged, and we have done nothing to those who are against us. As we read Psalm 17, we see this come through in the idea that the prayer that the Psalmist brings to God is coming from lips that are free from deceit. Now, surely the Psalmist is not denying that he's a sinner and that he's not saying that he's never lied. Instead, This is about being free of guilt regarding the charges that are falsely being brought against him at this time. Now we don't know the exact circumstances, but the situation the psalmist is experiencing is something that you and I can relate to.
Look at verses 5 and 6 here. His steps have held fast to the paths of God and his feet have not slipped and so he feels confident in calling out to God and he knows that God will answer him. And we see in verse 7 that the psalmist asks that God will wondrously show his steadfast love and he says that he is the savior of those who seek refuge. The idea of God's steadfast love is significant and it's mentioned many times in the Psalms. It's the idea of unending covenant faithfulness, a love and faithfulness that can only be from God. The psalmist here relies on this steadfast love. It's the only hope that he has when the wicked do violence to him and his enemies surround him. And we read that these people have no pity toward the psalmist and in fact They're like a young lion lurking in ambush. And we see the hope that David has here when he says in verse 13, Arise O Lord and confront him, subdue him. The wicked are waiting to pounce. But David knows that God is the 1 who shows covenant faithfulness to his people and he protects them. And as this psalm closes up we see some interesting statements, but they are significant because they point to David's belief in the covenant faithfulness of God. He desires to be spared from those who have their portion in this life. David understands that their wicked ways are causing them to be prosperous now, but he knows that the faithfulness of God means a legacy that continues.
And so he says that God will fill the wombs of his people with treasure and satisfy them with children and they will leave their abundance to their infants. Children are a blessing to the people of God and so a sign of God being in covenant with his people will be the continuing of their families beyond the present moment and beyond the generation that's being oppressed. And as this psalm closes up it says that the psalmist is confident that he shall behold the face of God in righteousness. He knows that there will come a day where he shall awaken the presence of God. As I've said before the resurrection is pointed to in the Old Testament, but it isn't overt. It's statements like this from David that we get the idea of a great and eternal hope because God has steadfast love for His people. So as we close up this psalm, This is how the Lord Jesus Christ unlocks it for us. David looked forward to and hoped for the resurrection, but because we have 1 who was perfectly blameless and without sin, we have a confidence in the covenant faithfulness and steadfast love that God has shown to us. He was accused, but was found to be without sin and yet he bore the wrath of God for my sin and yours. When we are in despair and we cry out to God we can pray this psalm as a prayer knowing that in Christ we have been vindicated and we have ultimate hope. Like the psalmist we can know that no matter what we face, we will behold the face of God in righteousness, and we shall awake in his presence, satisfied with his likeness. And so may this truth of God's steadfast love be ever before us, that we might live boldly in this world, testifying to the great love that God has shown to us in the Lord Jesus Christ.
