Psalm 17

Psalm 17 Meaning

Psalm 17 is a prayer for protection from someone confident of his integrity yet surrounded by enemies. David asks God to hear a just cause, to keep him as the apple of His eye, and to hide him in the shadow of His wings.

It ends with a hope that satisfies deeper than any earthly reward: he will be satisfied, when he awakes, with God's likeness.

Key verses from Psalm 17

“Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.”
Psalm 17:1

“I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.”
Psalm 17:6

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”
Psalm 17:8

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”
Psalm 17:15

How Psalm 17 points to Jesus

Jesus commits His cause to the Father and is kept through death into resurrection. In Him we too will awake satisfied, beholding and sharing the likeness of God.

← Psalm 16 · All 150 Psalms · Psalm 18 →

Enter Living Breadprayer, Scripture, a family near you