Psalm 17-Supplication through the Scriptures

Prayer for Protection 

Psalm 17

His prayer is confident, but it is a godly confidence, expressive both of the deepest trust in and of a tender walk with God.
W. VanGemeren

In a world affected by the curse, many people experience circumstances that place them in a position of vulnerability. There can be times when it seems the strong rule the weak for their own advantage and to the detriment of those under their care. Other times, it’s not extreme, but there can be a sense of powerlessness to change our situation or influence those in authority over us. We do not need to lose hope. Our God still reigns, and we can come to Him to redress wrongs suffered and continue to honor Him and do good while we wait.

Lord, I praise You:
▫️You are the Judge of all the Earth and You will do what is right (Genesis 18:25).
▫️You save those who seek refuge in You.

A Cry for Vindication

17:1-5 “Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 
I pray:
▫️O Lord, hear a just cry and attend to my urgent call for help in this trial.
▫️Please hear and respond to my pressing cries.
▫️Vindicate me in this situation, letting truth prevail and righteousness reign.
▫️You test and try my heart, let me approach Your throne of grace to find mercy and help in my time of need, not because I have earned it, but because Christ’s blood has purchased it for me.
▫️Conform my will to Yours in this situation. Help me not to insist on my way.
▫️Give me Your Spirit and grace to not sin with my words, not to cross the line and speak unwholesome words, including slander and gossip about those involved in this circumstance.
▫️Help me to avoid and keep myself from ways that will lead to sinful responses and thoughts, and help me, Lord, to hold fast to Your paths that I may not slip away from Your precepts. Are there thoughts I need to take captive and submit them to Christ? Are there deeds I have done that I must repent of? 

A Call for God to Answer

17:6-12 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. 
Lord, I pray:
▫️In my current situation, wondrously show Your steadfast love, mercy, goodness, and faithfulness to me.
▫️In this distressing time, bring me to a place of safety, refuge, and support.
▫️I am calling on You now, answer me as You have faithfully answered me in previous trials.
▫️Hear the words, see the longing I am directing to You, because I know You are the only One who can bring about a good result in this uncertainty.
▫️As my loving Father, keep me as the apple of Your eye.
▫️Hide and shelter me from the negative consequences of the circumstances that are out of my control.
▫️Help me not to be insensitive to the suffering of others, including those who have injured me, or to have a prideful heart. 
▫️Others would not close their heart to pity toward me, but would be compassionate, understanding, and sympathetic in my trial.

A Plea for God to Act
17:13-15 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants. As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”
Lord, I pray:
▫️Rise up, O Lord, and please help me!
▫️Confront those who are doing wrong and seeking their own will and way and help them to submit to Your will and way.
▫️Give me a desire for Your will, even if it means my desired outcome is not achieved.
▫️Let all who are involved in this circumstance subdue themselves before You and Your ways.
▫️The joy that awaits me of seeing You face to face would help me endure with joy the path that lies in front of me.
▫️I would truly be satisfied with seeing You, enjoying Your presence, and being made into Your likeness.
▫️Do not delay, oh my God!


May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Experience is a blessed teacher. He who has tried the faithfulness of God in hours of need, has great boldness in laying his case before the throne.

C.H.Spurgeon 


Psalm 17 quoted from the ESV.

Photo credit to benwhitephotography

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