Psalm 17: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Seeking Divine Protection

Executive Summary ✨

Psalm 17, a poignant prayer of David, stands as a timeless testament to the unwavering trust in God’s protection amidst adversity. This psalm, deeply resonant within Coptic Orthodox tradition, showcases David’s righteous plea for deliverance, emphasizing his integrity and reliance on divine justice. We will dissect each verse, exploring its historical context, linguistic nuances, and profound spiritual implications. From David’s urgent cry for attentive hearing to his confident assurance of beholding God’s face in righteousness, Psalm 17 offers invaluable lessons on prayer, faith, and the steadfast love of God. The psalm resonates with the Coptic understanding of *theosis*, striving towards likeness to God through prayer and repentance, reflected in the unwavering belief in divine protection. This commentary offers guidance for contemporary believers seeking solace and strength in a world filled with trials, demonstrating the enduring relevance of this ancient prayer.

This detailed exploration of Psalm 17 seeks to unlock its spiritual treasures, offering a Coptic Orthodox perspective on its message of unwavering faith and divine protection. We will delve into the historical backdrop, linguistic subtleties, and theological significance of each verse, drawing upon patristic wisdom and connecting its themes to contemporary life. Through this journey, we aim to deepen your understanding of this powerful prayer and inspire you to draw closer to God, finding solace and strength in His unfailing love.

Commentary Section

Psalm 17:1 (KJV): Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Psalm 17:1 (NKJV): Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.

The psalm opens with an urgent supplication. David doesn’t merely ask God to listen; he implores Him to hear the right. This phrase underscores the importance of righteousness in prayer. David presents his cause as just, implicitly claiming innocence and integrity before God. The Coptic Orthodox tradition emphasizes the connection between a pure heart and effective prayer. St. Isaac the Syrian says, ” καθαρά προσευχὴ, ἄϋλος διάλογος” (kathara proseuche, aulos dialogos) – “Pure prayer is an immaterial conversation” (Ascetical Homilies, Homily 1). Meaning, sincerity and a clean conscience are prerequisites for divine audience. We must approach God with humility and honesty, confessing our sins and striving to live according to His commandments. Remember to examine your conscience before prayer, asking yourself if there’s any unconfessed sin hindering your communion with God.

• Practical Application: Before approaching God in prayer, take a moment for self-reflection. Confess your sins, forgive others, and purify your heart. Genuine repentance unlocks the door to divine hearing.

Psalm 17:2 (KJV): Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

Psalm 17:2 (NKJV): Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are right.

David desires vindication from God Himself, not from human judgment. “Let my sentence come forth from thy presence” implies a desire for divine justice, a judgment based on perfect knowledge and righteousness. “Let thine eyes behold the things that are equal” suggests that David wants God to see the fairness of his cause. The Coptic Orthodox Church teaches that God sees all things perfectly, knowing the hidden motives and intentions of our hearts. We often seek validation and approval from others, but true vindication comes from God’s assessment. He sees beyond the surface, discerning the truth and acting justly. The life of St. Joseph in the Old Testament is a powerful example of someone vindicated by God after enduring unjust suffering.

• Practical Application: Trust in God’s justice, even when you feel misunderstood or wrongly accused. Seek His vindication, knowing that He sees the truth and will ultimately set things right.

Psalm 17:3 (KJV): 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.

Psalm 17:3 (NKJV): You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me, and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Here, David affirms his integrity before God, claiming that God has already “proved” or tested his heart. The phrase “visited me in the night” could refer to a period of introspection or divine revelation during a time of darkness and vulnerability. He asserts that God found “nothing” in him, suggesting a lack of malice or deceit. “I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress” indicates a conscious effort to control his words, preventing them from causing harm or offense. This is a key aspect of Coptic spirituality, emphasizing the importance of taming the tongue. St. Macarius the Great said, “Ἡ γλῶσσα ἀνέλεγκτος, πῦρ ἀκατάσχετον” (He glossa anelegktos, pyr akatasketon) – “An uncontrolled tongue is an unquenchable fire” (Homilies, Homily 18). This emphasizes the destructive potential of unchecked words. David’s commitment echoes the monastic emphasis on silence (hesychia) to prevent sinful words. The geography of the region, characterized by drylands and scarcity, might have instilled a sense of valuing words, as a wrongly spoken word could quickly escalate conflicts.

• Practical Application: Commit to guarding your words, especially when you are under pressure or facing difficult situations. Pray for God’s help to control your tongue and speak words of life and encouragement.

Psalm 17:4-5 (KJV): 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.

Psalm 17:4-5 (NKJV): Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.

David credits God’s “word” for keeping him from “the paths of the destroyer.” This implies that adherence to God’s commandments has protected him from evil influences and destructive behaviors. He then prays for continued divine support, asking God to “uphold” his steps so that he won’t “slip.” The image of slipping suggests a loss of stability or a fall into sin. The Coptic Orthodox tradition understands sin as a deviation from the path of righteousness, a straying from God’s will. We need God’s grace to remain steadfast and avoid temptation. The “paths of the destroyer” can be understood as worldly temptations and harmful influences that lead us away from God. This aligns with the deuterocanonical book of Sirach, which cautions against associating with the wicked and their ways (Sirach 13:4). The urban environment of Jerusalem, with its diverse influences, presented constant temptations. David’s prayer reflects his awareness of these dangers and his reliance on God’s guidance.

• Practical Application: Seek God’s guidance in every decision you make, relying on His word to keep you from the paths of destruction. Pray for His strength to resist temptation and remain steadfast in your faith.

Psalm 17:6-7 (KJV): I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

Psalm 17:6-7 (NKJV): I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them.

David expresses confidence that God will hear his prayer, based on his past experience of divine intervention. He asks God to “incline thine ear” and “hear my speech,” emphasizing his desire for a personal and attentive response. He then pleads for God to “show thy marvelous lovingkindness,” highlighting the boundless nature of God’s mercy and compassion. “Thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them” affirms God’s power to protect those who trust in Him from their enemies. The Coptic Orthodox Church teaches that God is always ready to hear the prayers of His faithful, offering them comfort, guidance, and protection. The “right hand” symbolizes God’s power and authority. This is further emphasized in liturgical hymns that repeatedly invoke God’s “right hand” as a source of strength and salvation. We must approach God with faith, believing that He is both willing and able to help us in our time of need.

• Practical Application: Approach God with unwavering faith, believing that He hears your prayers and is able to deliver you from your enemies. Trust in His marvelous lovingkindness and rely on His power to protect you.

Psalm 17:8-9 (KJV): 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.

Psalm 17:8-9 (NKJV): Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.

David uses vivid imagery to express his desire for divine protection. “Keep me as the apple of the eye” conveys the idea of preciousness and vulnerability, highlighting the need for God’s constant care. “Hide me under the shadow of thy wings” evokes the image of a mother bird protecting her young, suggesting a safe and secure refuge. He asks God to protect him from “the wicked that oppress me” and “my deadly enemies, who compass me about,” emphasizing the imminent threat he faces. The Coptic Orthodox tradition often uses the imagery of the “apple of the eye” to describe the soul’s value in God’s sight. St. Athanasius wrote, “Ἡ ψυχὴ τίμιώτερον παντὸς κόσμου” (He psyche timioteron pantos kosmou) – “The soul is more precious than the entire world” (Against the Heathens, Chapter 33). The “shadow of thy wings” symbolizes God’s protective presence. This is a common motif in the Psalms, echoing the promise of refuge and security in God. The surrounding enemies symbolize the spiritual battles we face daily.

• Practical Application: Seek refuge in God’s protective presence, trusting that He will guard you from the attacks of the enemy. Remember that you are precious in His sight and that He is always watching over you.

Psalm 17:10-12 (KJV): They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. They have compassed 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 17:10-12 (NKJV): They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. They have surrounded our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, As a lion eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

David vividly describes the arrogance and predatory nature of his enemies. “They are inclosed in their own fat” suggests a spiritual blindness caused by wealth and self-indulgence. “With their mouth they speak proudly” highlights their arrogance and boastfulness. “They have compassed our steps” indicates their intent to trap and ensnare him. “Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey” and “as it were a young lion lurking in secret places” portrays their ruthlessness and cunning. The Coptic Orthodox tradition warns against the dangers of pride and material possessions. St. Anthony the Great advised, “Ἡ φιλαργυρία ρίζα πάντων τῶν κακῶν” (He philargyria rhiza panton ton kakon) – “The love of money is the root of all evil” (Sayings of the Desert Fathers). The lion imagery evokes the power and danger of the devil, who seeks to devour those who are not vigilant.

• Practical Application: Be wary of the dangers of pride and material possessions, which can blind you to God’s truth and make you vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. Stay humble and vigilant, relying on God’s strength to resist temptation.

Psalm 17:13-14 (KJV): 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.

Psalm 17:13-14 (NKJV): Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked, who is Your sword. With Your hand deliver me from men, O LORD, From men of the world who have their portion in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.

David calls upon God to “arise” and confront his enemies, asking Him to “disappoint him, cast him down.” He requests deliverance from “the wicked, which is thy sword,” suggesting that God uses even the wicked to accomplish His purposes. He asks to be delivered from “men of the world, which have their portion in this life,” contrasting their earthly focus with his longing for eternal life. The Coptic Orthodox tradition affirms God’s sovereignty over all things, including the wicked. Even evil can be used for God’s greater good. The focus on the “portion in this life” underscores the importance of prioritizing spiritual treasures over material possessions. This echoes the teachings of Christ, who exhorted us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).

• Practical Application: Trust in God’s sovereignty, knowing that He is in control even when things seem chaotic. Focus on building up spiritual treasures that will last for eternity, rather than pursuing earthly possessions that are fleeting.

Psalm 17:15 (KJV): As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Psalm 17:15 (NKJV): As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

The psalm concludes with a powerful affirmation of faith and hope. David declares, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness,” expressing his ultimate desire to see God. “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” suggests that true fulfillment comes from being transformed into God’s image. The Coptic Orthodox concept of *theosis*, or deification, is central here. This refers to the process of becoming more and more like God through grace and participation in the divine nature. This is not becoming God in essence, but sharing in His energies and virtues. Seeing God’s face and being satisfied with His likeness represent the ultimate goal of the Christian life. This final verse is a powerful reminder that our earthly struggles are temporary, and our ultimate hope lies in eternal communion with God.

• Practical Application: Strive to live a life of righteousness, pursuing holiness and seeking to become more like God. Focus on the eternal reward of seeing His face and being transformed into His likeness, finding true satisfaction in His presence.

Subtopic Sections

Let’s consider some key takeaways from Psalm 17, offering points for reflection and practical application.

• The Importance of Righteousness: Psalm 17 emphasizes that genuine prayer arises from a righteous heart and a life lived according to God’s commandments. We are called to examine our conscience, confess our sins, and strive to live in accordance with His will.
• Trusting in Divine Justice: David sought vindication from God, not from human judgment. This reminds us to trust in God’s justice, even when we face unfair treatment or misunderstanding. He sees all things clearly and will ultimately set things right.
• Seeking God’s Protection: David used vivid imagery to express his desire for divine protection, highlighting our vulnerability and need for God’s constant care. We can find refuge in His protective presence, trusting that He will guard us from the attacks of the enemy.
• Guarding Against Pride and Temptation: The psalm warns against the dangers of pride and material possessions, which can blind us to God’s truth and make us vulnerable to temptation. We are called to remain humble and vigilant, relying on God’s strength to resist evil influences.
• Focusing on Eternal Treasures: David contrasted the earthly focus of the wicked with his longing for eternal life. This reminds us to prioritize spiritual treasures over material possessions, investing in what will last for eternity.
• The Hope of Theosis: The psalm concludes with the hope of seeing God’s face and being transformed into His likeness. This reminds us that the ultimate goal of the Christian life is to become more and more like God through grace and participation in His divine nature.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Psalm 17 and its interpretation within the Coptic Orthodox tradition.

• Q: Why does David emphasize his righteousness so much in this psalm? Is it not prideful?

  A: David’s emphasis on his righteousness is not necessarily prideful. Rather, it’s a testament to his commitment to living according to God’s commandments. He acknowledges his imperfections but affirms his sincere desire to please God and live a life of integrity. This is akin to a student showing their hard work to a professor. It’s an honest presentation, not a boastful one.

• Q: What does it mean to “behold God’s face in righteousness”?

  A: To “behold God’s face in righteousness” signifies a deep and intimate communion with God. It’s a state of perfect holiness and purity, where we are able to see God as He truly is. This is the ultimate goal of the Christian life, achieved through grace and purification.

• Q: How can I apply the lessons of Psalm 17 to my daily life?

  A: You can apply the lessons of Psalm 17 by cultivating a righteous heart, seeking God’s guidance and protection, guarding against pride and temptation, focusing on eternal treasures, and striving to become more like God in your thoughts, words, and actions. Make it a practice to seek God’s will in all things.

• Q: What is the significance of the phrase “hide me under the shadow of your wings”?

  A: The phrase “hide me under the shadow of your wings” evokes a powerful image of God’s protective care and unwavering love. It signifies a safe and secure refuge in His presence, where we can find comfort and strength amidst life’s storms. This is akin to seeking comfort in a loving parent’s embrace during difficult times.

Conclusion

Psalm 17 is a powerful testament to the importance of prayer, righteousness, and unwavering faith in God’s protection. David’s urgent plea for deliverance, his affirmation of integrity, and his confident hope for eternal communion with God offer invaluable lessons for contemporary believers. This psalm reminds us to approach God with sincerity and humility, seeking His guidance in every decision and trusting in His unfailing love. By focusing on the eternal reward of beholding God’s face and being transformed into His likeness, we can find strength to overcome earthly trials and strive towards a life of holiness and righteousness. Let us all echo David’s sentiment and seek divine protection through sincere prayer, confident in God’s unwavering love.

Tags

Prayer, Psalm 17, Coptic Orthodox, Protection, David, Righteousness, Faith, Patristic, Theosis, Divine Justice

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Discover a Coptic Orthodox commentary on Psalm 17, exploring its rich spiritual themes of prayer, protection, and righteousness. Learn how to apply its lessons to modern life.