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Psalm 17 | King James Audio Bible
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Psalm 17 is a soul’s conversation with the divine. The psalm captures a sincere plea for justice and refuge, revealing the unyielding strength of faith in the face of challenges.
The psalmist seeks safety from deceit and cruelty. He starts by making a clear plea, an honest prayer that doesn’t hide behind empty words. He calls for a fair judgment from God’s presence, emphasizing equitable assessment. He trusts in God’s scrutiny, confident that his intentions are steadfast.
The psalmist recalls avoiding harmful paths and following the divine word. He asks for guidance, seeking help to stay on the right path. He is sure God will respond, calling on God with confidence. He seeks God’s kindness, hoping it will lead to deliverance.
A metaphor emerges, describing God’s care as being hidden under wings.
The enemies of the psalmist are depicted as consumed by pride. Despite challenges, the psalmist asks for deliverance from the wicked. He reflects on worldly pursuits, contrasting such with God’s righteousness.
The ultimate goal of the psalm is to encounter God’s face and to awaken in God’s likeness.
Psalm 17 | King James Audio Bible KJV
Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Key Themes Of The Psalm For Reflection | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
- Divine Appeal: Psalm 17 depicts a heartfelt conversation with the divine, where the psalmist earnestly seeks justice and refuge.
- Trust Amid Challenges: The psalmist’s trust in God remains unwavering, even in the face of deceit and adversity.
- Yearning for Fairness: The psalm captures the yearning for fairness and vindication, drawing a parallel to a courtroom scene.
- Equitable Judgment: A call for equitable judgment from God’s presence highlights the importance of divine assessment.
- Guided by Faith: The psalmist’s path is guided by faith, avoiding harmful ways and seeking divine guidance.
- Confidence in Response: Confidence in God’s responsiveness is expressed, as the psalmist believes their plea will be heard.
- Hope in Deliverance: The psalmist hopes for God’s kindness to lead to deliverance from adversaries.
- Divine Protection: A metaphor of being hidden under God’s wings conveys the idea of divine care and protection.
- Pride and Arrogance: The psalm contrasts humility with the pride and arrogance displayed by the enemies.
- Seeking Refuge: Despite challenges, the psalmist seeks refuge from the wicked, viewing them as instruments of divine justice.
- Reflection on Values: The psalm reflects on the contrast between worldly pursuits and the righteousness of God.
- Yearning for Divine Encounter: The ultimate aspiration is to encounter God’s face and awaken in His likeness.
- Faith Amid Complexity: Psalm 17 captures the interplay between faith and adversity, emphasizing the pursuit of justice, refuge, and the unwavering strength of trust in God.
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