Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

By my verse-by-verse reading of the cited psalm, I found the following qualities that were explicitly or implicitly ascribed to God by the psalmist:

-- Just
-- Righteous
-- Listens to honest prayer
-- Vindicates/helps/protects the righteous
-- Probes people's hearts/thoughts
-- Has great love for those who follow Him
-- Distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked 
-- Actively opposes/defeats the enemies of His followers
-- As an eternal Being, governs eternal rewards that go beyond 
this life and world
-- Will eventually be beheld by His followers

June 11 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

I like to outline what I learn about Jehovah thusly:

1. Thy presence to search us Ps. 17:2 "Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal."

Another translation renders this verse more clearly:
TPT
Examine and exonerate me. Vindicate me and show the world I’m innocent.

Psalms 139:1
For the music director, a psalm of David. O Lord, you examine me and know.
(NET Bible)

2. Thy lips to speak to us Psalm 17:4 -- ‘ The word of Thy lips’ v.4 Inspiration

--"Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer."

If you compare Psalm 17:4 with Psalm 45 (which I believe is all about Jesus), you will find that the Psalmist writes there, 

PS 45:2 Thou [Jesus] art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

12 “The words of a wise man’s [this is Jesus, too] mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.” I say this because the Bible says of Him, “in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Co 2:3)

3. Thy right hand to save us Ps. 17:7

--"Show thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them."

"O thou that savest by thy right hand": Either by his power, or by the man of his right hand, his own son.
"Them which put their trust in thee": Not in men, not in an arm of flesh, not in themselves, in their own power, wisdom, riches, and righteousness. But in the Lord their God, who is the Savior of all men, but especially of them that believe (1 Tim. 4:10). For these he saves both in a temporal and in a spiritual manner.

"From those that rise up against them": From all their spiritual enemies, sin and Satan. And from all outward ones, from the men of the world, oppressors and violent persecutors. Who are afterwards described: the phrase, "by thy right hand", is by some, as Aben Ezra. Connected with the word trust, and rendered, "them which trust in thy right hand". Either in the grace, mercy, and favor of God, dispensed by his right hand; or in his strength, and the mighty power of his arm. Bible-studys.org

4. Thy face to shine upon us Ps. 17:15 
-- ‘ I will behold’ v.15 Expectation
--‘When I awake’ v.15 Resurrection 
JS.FS.

7 Thy likeness to satisfy us Ps. 17:15

-- ‘I shall be satisfied’ v.15 Satisfaction
--W.J.M

When I in righteousness at last
Thy glorious face shall see,
When all the weary night is past,
And I awake with Thee
To view the glories that abide,
Then, then I shall be satisfied.

v.15 Satisfaction

4 ‘When I awake’ v.15 Resurrection 

Like Psalm 16:9-11 NIV

"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure, 
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, 
nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 
11 You make known to me the path of life; 
you will fill me with joy in your presence, 
with eternal pleasures at your right hand",

this psalm also affirms a future hope for David in the next life., 
JS.FS

This is one of the few texts in the Psalms that touches on the future life (see Ps 16:11; 73:23-26). “Awake” is or seems to be a metaphor for the resurrection of the human body (Dan. 12:2; John 11:11; David seems to be saying, “Even when I die, the Lord won’t desert me; for I shall be awakened and given a glorified body. I shall see His face, and I shall be satisfied!” WW

June 13 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

After reading Psalm 17, my opinion is as follows:

A prayer for protection
“You have examined my heart” (3)
“In the shadow of your wings” (8)

David who wrote this Psalm really did appreciate his God as he really did look after David when he needed help in his life:

Through this Psalm, God helps humans to understand and appreciate things about Himself by likening them to things that we see and know well. Thus, He speaks figuratively of His “eyes” being on His people, evidently indicating His watchfulness and loving care for them. The apostle Peter says: “The eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones.” (1Pe 3:12) God emphasises this care and sensitiveness for their welfare when He speaks of His servants as “the pupil” of His eye, metaphorically representing their preciousness in His sight and His quickness to act in their behalf when touched by the enemy.​

Jesus taught his followers to seek first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness. People of the world tend to seek personal interests first as “men of this system of things, whose share is in this life.” (Read Psalm 17:1, 13-15.) With no regard for their Creator, many devote themselves to making a comfortable living, raising a family, and leaving behind an inheritance. Their share is in this life only. David, on the other hand, was interested in making “a good name” with Jehovah, as his son later recommended that all do. (Eccl. 7:1, ftn.) Just like Asaph, David saw that having Jehovah as his Friend was far better than putting his own interests foremost in life. He rejoiced in walking with God. In our time, many Christians have put spiritual activities ahead of their secular employment.

Psalm 17:14, 15. The “men of this system of things” devote themselves to making a good living, raising a family, and leaving behind an inheritance. David’s main concern in life was to make a good name with God so as to ‘behold his face,’ or to experience Jehovah’s favour. Upon “awakening” to Jehovah’s promises and assurances, David would feel ‘satisfied to see His form,’ or rejoice in Jehovah’s presence with him. 

Like David we should also set our hearts on spiritual treasures.

As Psalm 17: 15 highlights - But as for me, in righteousness I will see your face; I am satisfied to awaken in your presence.

Conclusion:

From Psalm 17, we can learn that Jehovah is a just judge who attentively listens to sincere prayers, a protective and loving saviour for his faithful people, and the ultimate source of eternal satisfaction. The psalm, written by David during a time of great distress, emphasises God's righteous nature in contrast with the wickedness of earthly enemies.

8 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report