Psalm 17: Vindication and Refuge

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! 
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 
2    From your presence let my vindication come! 
Let your eyes behold the right! 
3    You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, 
you have tested me, and you will find nothing; 
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 
4    With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips 
I have avoided the ways of the violent. 
5    My steps have held fast to your paths; 
my feet have not slipped. 
6    I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 
incline your ear to me; hear my words. 
7    Wondrously show your steadfast love, 
O Savior of those who seek refuge 
from their adversaries at your right hand. 
8    Keep me as the apple of your eye; 
hide me in the shadow of your wings, 
9    from the wicked who do me violence, 
my deadly enemies who surround me. 
10    They close their hearts to pity; 
with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 
11    They have now surrounded our steps; 
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 
12    He is like a lion eager to tear, 
as a young lion lurking in ambush. 
13    Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! 
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, 
14    from men by your hand, O Lord, 
from men of the world whose portion is in this life. 
       You fill their womb with treasure; 
they are satisfied with children, 
and they leave their abundance to their infants. 
15    As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; 
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 
 
 
Meditation
God wondrously shows His steadfast love as the Savior of those who seek refuge in Him. Jesus is our protection  and our vindication. 
 
Anointed king David found “The Rock of escape” in the wilderness of Maon when Saul was seeking to kill him (1 Samuel 23:24-28), total trust in God’s steadfast love. David looked to the Lord for both vindication and protection. 
 
David seeks vindication in this Psalm by desiring for God to hear and defend his innocence (1-5), understandable for someone wrongfully pursued by the authority of their country. David desired to be vindicated by his enemies being punished (13) and the righteous being in rich relationship with the Lord (14-15). This vindication is possible when the Lord is our protection (6-12). God alone hears us, saves us, and shelters us because God alone has covenant love for all whose trust is in Him.
 
We identify with David’s desire to be vindicated (or righteous) beyond rescue to behold God’s righteous face (15), and resurrected Jesus fulfills this yearning. Consider the disciples hiding from their enemies in the upper room when Jesus appeared to reveal His hands and side. Beyond rescue, resurrected Jesus redeems righteous relationship. When the Lord is our refuge, fear is replaced with faith, panic is stilled, and gladness from God’s love fills hearts (John 20:19-29).
 
God desires to “wondrously show His steadfast love” as the “Savior of those who seek refuge (in Him)” (7) through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our vindication and Jesus alone is our true protection.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from David’s multiple pleas for vindication and protection?
 
-Where do you identify with David who was on the run from enemies pursuing him in a wilderness?
 
-Do you trust God’s steadfast love to protect and provide for you? Why or why not? How does the finished work of Jesus restore your faith and invite you into deeper trust of Him?
 
Key Verse
6    I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 
incline your ear to me; hear my words. 
7    Wondrously show your steadfast love, 
O Savior of those who seek refuge 
from their adversaries at your right hand.