Saturday, June 23, 2012

Day 17: Psalm 17- And You're the Apple of His Eye....

Good Day,

Psalm 17 - Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

A prayer of David. [a]

1  LORD, hear my prayer for justice.
    I am calling loudly to you.
I am being honest in what I say,
    so please listen to my prayer.
You will make the right decision,
    because you can see the truth.
You were with me all night
    and looked deep into my heart.
You questioned me and found that
    I did not say or do anything wrong.
Unlike most people, I have obeyed your commands,
    so I have never been like those who are cruel and evil.
I have followed your way.
    My feet never left your path.
Every time I call to you, God, you answer me.
    So listen to me now, and hear what I say.
Show your amazing kindness
    and rescue those who depend on you.
Use your great power
    and protect them from their enemies.
Protect me like the pupil [b] of your eye.
    Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Save me from the wicked people who are trying to destroy me.
Protect me from those who come to hurt me.
10 They think only of themselves
    and brag about what they will do.
11 They have been following me,
    and now they are all around me.
They watch me, waiting to throw me to the ground.
12 Like hungry lions, they want to kill and eat.
    Like young lions, they hide, ready to attack.
13 LORD, get up [c] and face the enemy.
    Make them surrender.
    Use your sword and save me from these wicked people.
14 Use your power, LORD,
    and remove them from this life.
But as for the people you treasure,
    fill them with food.
    Give them plenty for their children and their grandchildren.
 15 And me? I plan on looking
      you full in the face. When I get up,
   I'll see your full stature
      and live heaven on earth.

Psalm 17- NIV

A prayer of David.

Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.
Though you probe my heart,     though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
    my mouth has not transgressed.
Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;     my feet have not stumbled.
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;     turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders 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 are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts,     and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,     with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,     like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;     with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 Lord,By your hand save me from such people,
    from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
    may their children gorge themselves on it,
    and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
    when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Psalm 17’s Questions and Thoughts to Ponder:
      Message Questions:
1.      Is this a prayer or a complaint to a friend (read above verse 1)?
2.      Read Psalm 17. Have you ever felt like this Psalmist did?
3.      Have you ever prayed to God in the same situation?
4.      Verse 4 says, “Unlike most people, I have obeyed your commands,
 so I have never been like those who are cruel and evil.” Are you more or less like David? Why, or why not?
5.      Does David want God to erase his enemies from the earth or does he want them to surrender (v13)?
6.      In verse 13, David tells God to face his (David’s) enemy. This is not a command, but an honest (see v1) prayer for help. Have you asked God for help when people are talking trash about you or giving you trouble? Have you seen God move on your behalf?
   NIV Questions:
1.      In verse 8 says to “Keep me as the apple of your eye”. If someone is the apple of your eye, what does that mean? And now consider that this is how God feels about you……
2.      Verse 15 states, “As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
 when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” What does this mean? Scroll up and read verse 15 of the Message text I included.

Please take the time to reflect and comment:
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