Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes. Show the wondersThe Hebrew word for "show" is "פָּלָא" (pala), which means to do something marvelous or extraordinary. In the context of the Psalms, it often refers to God's miraculous acts that are beyond human comprehension. The psalmist is calling upon God to reveal His divine power and majesty in a way that is unmistakable. This plea is a reminder of the many times God has intervened in the history of Israel, performing wonders that affirmed His sovereignty and care for His people. of Your loving devotion
The phrase "loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed), which encompasses love, kindness, mercy, and faithfulness. It is a covenantal term that describes God's steadfast love and loyalty to His people. This word is central to understanding the character of God in the Old Testament, as it reflects His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The psalmist appeals to this aspect of God's nature, trusting in His enduring love and mercy. You who save by Your right hand
The "right hand" in biblical terms symbolizes strength, power, and authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the right hand was often associated with the ability to protect and deliver. The psalmist acknowledges God as the ultimate source of salvation, emphasizing His power to rescue and defend those who are faithful to Him. This imagery is consistent with other scriptural references where God's right hand is depicted as a means of deliverance and victory over enemies. those who seek refuge
The act of seeking refuge implies a deep trust and reliance on God for protection and safety. In the Hebrew context, "חָסָה" (chasah) means to take shelter or to trust in. The psalmist portrays a relationship of dependence, where believers turn to God as their sanctuary in times of trouble. This reflects a recurring theme in the Psalms, where God is depicted as a fortress and a shield for those who earnestly seek Him. from their foes
The term "foes" refers to adversaries or enemies, often representing not just physical threats but also spiritual and moral challenges. In the historical context of the Psalms, Israel faced numerous enemies, both external and internal. The psalmist's plea for deliverance from foes underscores the reality of conflict and the need for divine intervention. It serves as a reminder that God is a defender against all forms of opposition, providing assurance and peace to those who trust in Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this Psalm, David is seeking God's protection and deliverance from his enemies. He is known for his deep relationship with God and his reliance on divine intervention. 2. GodThe central figure in this verse, God is portrayed as a protector and savior, demonstrating His loving devotion and power to save. 3. Enemies/FoesThe adversaries from whom David seeks refuge. They represent the challenges and threats faced by believers. 4. Right Hand of GodA metaphorical expression indicating God's power and authority to save and protect. 5. RefugeA place of safety and protection, symbolizing God's role as a sanctuary for those who trust in Him. Teaching Points Understanding God's Loving DevotionGod's loving devotion, or "chesed" in Hebrew, is a steadfast, covenantal love that assures us of His unwavering commitment to His people. Seeking Refuge in GodBelievers are encouraged to seek refuge in God amidst life's adversities, trusting in His power and faithfulness to protect and deliver. The Power of God's Right HandThe "right hand" symbolizes God's ultimate authority and ability to save, reminding us of His sovereignty over all circumstances. Prayer as a Means of Seeking God's ProtectionLike David, we should approach God in prayer, expressing our dependence on His protection and deliverance. Living with Confidence in God's ProtectionKnowing that God is our refuge allows us to live with confidence and peace, even when facing opposition or danger. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the concept of "chesed" (loving devotion) deepen your relationship with God? 2. In what ways can you actively seek refuge in God during times of trouble? 3. How does the imagery of God's "right hand" influence your perception of His power and authority in your life? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's protection. How did it strengthen your faith? 5. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking God's protection into your daily prayer life, and what other scriptures support this practice? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 15:6This verse speaks of God's right hand being majestic in power, connecting to the theme of divine strength and deliverance. Psalm 36:7Highlights God's loving devotion and the refuge He provides, similar to the themes in Psalm 17:7. Isaiah 41:10Offers reassurance of God's presence and strength, echoing the protection sought in Psalm 17:7. John 10:28-29Jesus speaks of His followers being secure in His hand, paralleling the idea of seeking refuge in God's right hand. People David, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Adversaries, Assailants, Clear, Confiding, Enemies, Faith, Foes, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Loving-kindnesses, Marvellous, Marvelous, Mercies, Mercy, O, Passing, Refuge, Rise, Save, Savest, Savior, Saviour, Seek, Separate, Shew, Steadfast, Trust, Withstanders, Wonder, Wonderful, Wonderfully, WondrouslyDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 17:7 1270 right hand of God
8031 trust, importance Psalm 17:6-7 8135 knowing God, nature of Psalm 17:6-9 8640 calling upon God Psalm 17:7-9 7438 sanctuary Library The Two Awakings
'I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.' --PSALM xvii. 15. 'As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when Thou awakest, Thou shalt despise their image.'--PSALM lxxiii. 20. Both of these Psalms are occupied with that standing puzzle to Old Testament worthies--the good fortune of bad men, and the bad fortune of good ones. The former recounts the personal calamities of David, its author. The latter gives us the picture of the perplexity of Asaph its writer, when he 'saw the prosperity …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Hope of Future Bliss
In looking at this passage to-night, we shall notice first of all, the spirit of it; secondly, the matter of it; and then, thirdly, we shall close by speaking of the contrast which is implied in it. I. First, then, the SPIRIT OF THIS UTTERANCE, for I always love to look at the spirit in which a man writes, or the spirit in which he preaches; in fact, there is vastly more in that than in the words he uses. Now, what should you think is the spirit of these words? "As for me, I will behold thy face …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 Mysterious visits.
AN ADDRESS TO A LITTLE COMPANY AT THE COMMUNION TABLE AT MENTONE."Thou hast visited me in the night."--Psalm xvii. 3. MYSTERIOUS VISITS. IT is a theme for wonder that the glorious God should visit sinful man. "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" A divine visit is a joy to be treasured whenever we are favoured with it. David speaks of it with great solemnity. The Psalmist was not content barely to speak of it; but he wrote it down in plain terms, …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come Out of the Deep of Fear and Anxiety.
My heart is disquieted within me. Tearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.--Ps. lv. 4. Thou hast proved and visited my heart in the night season--Ps. xvii. 3. Nevertheless though I am sometimes afraid, yet put I my trust in Thee.--Ps. lv. 3. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?--Ps. xxvii. 1. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fear.--Ps. …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep His Journey to South Russia.
1853. The call which John Yeardley had received to visit the German colonies in South Russia, and which had lain for a long time dormant, now revived. A friend who had watched with regret his unsuccessful attempts on former journeys to enter that jealous country, and who augured from the political changes which had taken place that permission might probably now be obtained, brought the subject again under his notice. The admonition was timely and effectual. After carefully pondering the matter--with, …
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel My God Will Hear Me
"Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you. Blessed are all they that wait for Him. He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee."--ISA. xxx. 18, 19. "The Lord will hear when I call upon Him."--PS. iv. 3. "I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O God!"--PS. xvii. 6. "I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."--MIC. vii. 7. The power of prayer rests in the faith …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession How a Desolate Man Ought to Commit Himself into the Hands of God
O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as Thou wilt so it is done, and what Thou doest is good. Let Thy servant rejoice in Thee, not in himself, nor in any other; because Thou alone art the true joy, Thou art my hope and my crown, Thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord. What hath Thy servant, which he received not from Thee, even without merit of his own? Thine are all things which Thou hast given, and which Thou hast made. I am poor and in misery even from my youth up,(1) …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
Text: 2 Corinthians 3, 4-11. 4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God, …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
1. Introduction, showing the necessity of proving the similarity of both dispensations in opposition to Servetus and the Anabaptists. 2. This similarity in general. Both covenants truly one, though differently administered. Three things in which they entirely agree. 3. First general similarity, or agreement--viz. that the Old Testament, equally with the New, extended its promises beyond the present life, and held out a sure hope of immortality. Reason for this resemblance. Objection answered. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Second Sunday Before Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 11, 19-33; 12, 1-9. 19 For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. 20 For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face. 21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
They shall see God. Matthew 5:8 These words are linked to the former and they are a great incentive to heart-purity. The pure heart shall see the pure God. There is a double sight which the saints have of God. 1 In this life; that is, spiritually by the eye of faith. Faith sees God's glorious attributes in the glass of his Word. Faith beholds him showing forth himself through the lattice of his ordinances. Thus Moses saw him who was invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Believers see God's glory as it were …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 17:7 NIVPsalm 17:7 NLTPsalm 17:7 ESVPsalm 17:7 NASBPsalm 17:7 KJV
Psalm 17:7 Commentaries
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