Psalm 17

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—It does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. As for the deeds of men—by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. My steps have held to your paths; my feel have not slipped.

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for pretty, like a great lion crouching in cover.

Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword. O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I – in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

This psalm is full of different insights about our relationship with God and what we should value. Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. Was David sinless? Of course not, but his heart was pure. He wasn’t telling God he was perfect; he was telling God that he doesn’t keep anything from Him.

Later, in verse 8 he compares his relationship with God to a mother bird with her babies. Sometimes it is easier for me to see God as a judge, waiting to catch me doing something wrong. And although we will definitely be judged, that’s not how God wants my relationship with Him to be perceived. He is my Father, the One I run to when I am in need (I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.) The One who protects me (you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes) and saves me, not only from the world (rescue me from the wicked by your sword) but from the lifestyle this world thinks we should have, which is

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This world tries to convince us that we need just a little more of everything and then we will be happy. . . .such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. People who live with this worldly mindset have already been rewarded in this life. How sad.

But You still the hunger of those cherish; if we seek God and a relationship with Him, we will be satisfied. If I am looking for fulfillment anywhere else besides in God, it’s not going to work. Only when I am content with God.

May I chase after Him and leave the things of this world behind.