A Prayer for Protection
Notes
Transcript
Read: Psalm 17:7-8
Read: Psalm 17:7-8
7 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. 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, Hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 9 From the wicked that oppress me, From my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
Introduction:
Introduction:
This is called a Prayer of David and is a prayer of protection.
His prayer is fascinating - He seems to be appealing to the court of supreme justice. This is his defense.
We see that is can be divided into several portions
Psalm 17:1-2 are an appeal to God and for justice
Psalm 17:3-5 show David’s own record. His “not guilty” plea.
Psalm 17:6-9 repeat his appeal for help - This is where I want to focus on tonight at least Psalm 17:7-8
Psalm 17:10-12 describe the character of his opponents, and their cruelty.
Psalm 17:13-14 David prays for their destruction
Psalm 17:15 is a doxology of sorts. He ends in a prayer of optimism and faith. Listen to this:
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Four Words that grab my attention:
Four Words that grab my attention:
While there are almost 30 words in the English translation used to convey the meaning of Psalm 17:7
- in the Hebrew there are four main words that I want us to think about for a short time tonight.
These are powerful prayer words, and comforting as well.
SHEW- This is a translation of a Hebrew word that means - to do something wonderful.
We have a God who likes to reveal himself wondrously.
Isaiah prophesied that his very name would be called Wonderful
Genesis 18:14 Sarah was chided for not quite fully comprehending and believing God by a question, “Is anything to hard for God?”
That phrase “too hard” is this same word or thought - “wonderful” Is anything to wonderful for God?
Throughout Israel’s history, God had done many wondrous works, miracles, things out of the ordinary—because of His steadfast love for His covenant people
11 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
He is a Wonderful God who does wondrous things - Has God ever done wonderful things for you???
The next word I would like us to look at tonight is that word “lovingkindness”
Loving kindness means an unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness; often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant.
Truly GOD IS LOVE!!!
But God is also portrayed as the savior “O thou that savest...” - or deliverer
He delivers from danger (three Hebrew Children) They didn’t even smell like smoke
He delivers from sin
The last word I want to look at is the one translated “them which put their trust in thee.” It means to find refuge.
That means to find a safe location or shelter. -
He is a refuge that the righteous run to - and there they are sheltered.
David then uses two metaphors for this protection -
Kept as the apple of the eye - or the pupil - this is an amazing sense of protection - not only protected by your eyelids, but by an amazing fluid system to help rid your eye of dust and particles.
It is referring not so much to protection but to its preciousness and treasuredness.
But also hid me under the shadow of thy wings.
there is something cozy, warm, and inviting about that - Lord if ever we needed to shelter under the shadow of thy wings its now.