David calls the Lord his rock, an impregnable fortress that has repeatedly saved him from his enemies...
David calls the Lord his rock, an impregnable fortress that has repeatedly saved him from his enemies. Not only when armed enemies attack, but even when death and hell draw near and salvation seems impossible, we can turn to the Lord, and He hears and comes to our aid. He comes, shaking heaven and earth; His majesty is incomparable with anything that exists in the created world, and the images of natural forces used by the psalmist can give us only an approximate idea of Him.
Yet although He Himself is above all things, the Lord draws a tiny human creature from the ocean of calamity, and here another greatness is revealed—perhaps less immediately apparent, but no less astonishing—the greatness of His mercy. In the midst of a universe that staggers the imagination, a person's own existence can sometimes seem so insignificant, and the observance of "some" commandments more insignificant still.
But none of this is insignificant in the eyes of the Lord, the bearer of righteousness.
17 David appealing to God for his integrity, begs for defence against his enemies, Psa 17:1-9.
Describes their wickedness, Psa 17:10-12.
Prays for deliverance from them, and rests in hope, Psa 17:13-15.
A prayer of David.
17:1 The right - Regard my righteous cause.
17:2 Sentence - Judgment on my behalf. Come - From thy tribunal.
17:3 Proved - Or, searched or tried it, by many temptations and afflictions. Night - When mens minds being freed from the distraction of business, and from the society of men, they act more vigorously and freely, according to their several inclinations. Tried - As gold - smiths do metals. Nothing - Nothing of unrighteousness. Purposed - I have resolved, upon deliberation, as the word implies. Mouth - I am so far from practising against Saul's life, as they charge me, that I will not wrong him so much as in a word.
17:4 Concerning - Observing the works of the men of this age, how wicked they are, I was resolved to take more care in ordering my own actions. By - By the help of thy blessed word. Paths - The customs and practices. Destroyer - Or, of the violent man: such as Saul, and his courtiers and soldiers.
17:7 By - By thy great power.
17:10 They - They live in splendor and prosperity.
17:11 Steps - In all our ways. We go from place to place, to rocks, and caves, and woods; but wheresoever we go they are at hand, and ready to surround us. Eyes - They keep their eyes fixed upon us.Bowing - Couching down upon the earth, that they may watch the fittest opportunity to surprize us.
17:13 Sword - Thy instrument to execute vengeance upon thine enemies.Do not punish me with this rod: let me fall into thy hands, and not into the hands of men.
17:14 Thy hand - Wherewith thou dost correct me. World - Who set their hearts upon this world, and neither have, nor desire any other portion. Belly - Mind or appetite, as that word is used, Job 20:20. Pro 20:30.Treasure - With extraordinary wealth and glory. Children - When many of thy faithful servants are barren, these are blessed with a numerous posterity.
17:15 I will - I do not place my portion in earthly treasures, but in beholding God's face, in the enjoyment of God's presence and favour; which is enjoyed in part in this life, but not fully. Satisfied - The time is coming, wherein I shall be abundantly satisfied with beholding thy face.Awake - When I arise from he dead. Likeness - With the image of God stamped upon my glorified soul.