“Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvelous loving kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:1-15)

     David was a man of prayer and great faith. He trusted God and was willing for Him to direct his life. He laid his life before God in order to receive help, strength and hope. David also committed himself to living a righteous life before God. Possibly no statement from David better shows his commitment to God and his confidence in God than, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15) Our life should likewise be lived so that when we are raised from the dead that we can come forth in the likeness of God.

     The power of a righteous life – Psalm 17:1-5: David felt that as a righteous man God would hear his cause. He pleaded with God to give ear to his prayer. (Psalm 17:1) David’s cause was just and David’s God was powerful to help. The awareness that David had of God’s nature was unbelievable. He knew that, (1) God hears the cause of the just (Psalm 17:1, (2) God answers the prayer of the just (Psalm 17:1), (3) God knows the heart of people (Psalm 17:1-2), and (4) God’s word’s are far differ that man’s words. God’s words are powerful and they deliver the righteous from the destroyer. Our relationship with God must be maintained by faithfulness. Our relationship with God is forfeited by unfaithfulness.

     The place of God’s protection – Psalm 17:6-9: David faced wicked oppressors who were, in fact, “deadly enemies.” His confidence was that he could call upon God for help. “I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.” (Psalm 17:6) Those who trust in God can rest in His marvelous lovingkindness. He will save those who walk with Him. In the struggles of this life it is wonderful to be able to hide ourselves under the shadow of God’s wing.

     The people who walk in ungodliness – Psalm 17:10-12: The problem of the godless is a heart problem. They have closed their fat hearts against God. Pride is always at the heart of wickedness. The desire of the wicked is to devour and destroy. “They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.” (Psalm 17:11-12) The godless care nothing about God or man. Their focus is self and sin.

     The point of this life – Psalm 17:13-15: The wicked focus on making what they can for themselves and their children. Their portion is in this life. They think nothing of eternity. Rather than focusing on the material and the temporary things of this life David focused on God and eternity. “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15) What is the focus of your heart?