Psalm 17

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors

A Prayer of David.

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them! By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
14 from mortals—by your hand, O Lord—from mortals whose portion in life is in this world. May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

via Psalm 17:11 (NRSV) – Biblia.com.

David knew what it was like to have enemies. While he was still, basically, a boy, Samuel came and anointed him as king of Israel. The problem was, Saul was already king. As David grew older, it became apparent that God had chose David to replace Saul, but Saul was not going let go of the kingship without a fight. David knew what it was like to be pursued. 

David also knew what it was to be comforted. He knew what it meant to be in God’s presence. He knew that he was not fighting the battle alone. When it seemed like persecutors were surrounding him, he went to God in prayer. David knew he could trust God.

We can also trust God. There will be days when our persecutors will surround us. There will be times when we feel the battle is slipping away. When those days come, then like David, we can go to God. As David lived in righteousness and was satisfied beholding God’s likeness, we too can discover the pleasure and satisfaction of finding our refuge in God.