Psalms 17:15 NIVUK
[15] As for me, I shall be vindicated and shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
As I write these lines, a major football (soccer for my American readers) tournament is underway. Hundreds of millions of people from across Europe have their eyes fixed on TV screens to watch matches. Should the referees take a decision against their team, it will be the subject of countless conversations across the land.
Even more so if it costs them their place in the tournament.
Life can be unfair. Really, really unfair.
At least, from our perspective.
Redundancy.
Health issues.
Loss of a loved one.
Natural disasters.
Human catastrophes.
The list goes on and on of seemingly random events that can take us by surprise and cause us immense harm.
My mind goes back to the awful tragedy of the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004. Or the multiple tropical storms and typhoons that beset the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These are horrific disasters. No amount of rationalisation can explain them. In the end, they are acts of God that are way beyond our human understanding.
But to many, they appear to be utterly unjust. And we chew over them like a bad decision by a sports referee. We theorise as to why. We come up with all kinds of conspiracies.
However, the most honest answer we can come up with that dignified those who have lost so much is that we simply do not know. We do not know why they happened. We should simply admit it.
Here, in Psalm 17, we see an event that would have challenged David to the core. Perhaps, in a lesser person, it would have shaken their faith. We do not know what it is. David does not tell us. As the commentator David Guzik tells us: ‘We can’t attach it to a specific time in David’s life, because there are too many possible points where this connects with his general circumstances. This psalm is remarkable for its trust in God, its lack of confidence in self, and its glorious heavenly hope.’
What we know is that David is being attacked, and by someone to whom he has done no harm. But instead of seeking revenge, David places justice into the hands of the Lord.
This Psalm is about what we do when we are facing unjust suffering – even if we are being attacked by people to whom we have done no harm.
So let’s begin by looking at A Just Heart.
Psalms 17:3 NIVUK
[3] Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. https://bible.com/bible/113/psa.17.3.NIVUK
This is quite the claim.
And David doesn’t just state it here. The verses which follow read like this:
Psalms 17:4-5 NIVUK
[4] Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. [5] My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
In other words, despite the corrupting influence of people around him, David maintains his complete innocence of anything deserving his situation. He invites God to search his heart because he is convinced that even God will find nothing.
Extraordinary.
How many of us can say that?
When we experience relationship difficulties – unless we are the victim of a one-sided abusive relationship – it's more than likely that we have done something to make things worse, at the very least. Although we are afraid of admitting it to ourselves, very often we contribute to our own problems. It is rare that we are completely innocent.
Yet that is what David us claiming here. Which is quite something.
It reminds me of those years he spent on the run from Saul (1Samuel 18 until Saul's death in 1 Samuel 31). David had done nothing to deserve it – except exist. Yet Saul and his men were hunting him down to prevent him becoming king.
It isn’t the only place in the Psalms where David writes about this:
Psalms 35:19-27 NIVUK
[19] Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. [20] They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. [21] They sneer at me and say, ‘Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.’ [22] Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. [23] Awake, and rise to my defence! Contend for me, my God and Lord. [24] Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me. [25] Do not let them think, ‘Aha, just what we wanted!’ or say, ‘We have swallowed him up.’ [26] May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. [27] May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, ‘The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.’
Psalms 38:19-20 NIVUK
[19] Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. [20] Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.
Psalms 59:1-4 NIVUK
[1] Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me. [2] Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood. [3] See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offence or sin of mine, Lord. [4] I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!
Psalms 69:4 NIVUK
[4] Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.
Relationships with other people are a major cause of sleepless nights. In a sense, it can be a good thing. It shows we care.
However, there us a very straightforward (if less easy to do) way it dealing with these issues, and it begins with this verse:
Romans 12:17-18 NIVUK
[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. https://bible.com/bible/113/rom.12.17-18.NIVUK
In other words, we must seek to please God firstly, but also other people. We must not go out of our way to provoke or cause conflicts without reason.
When it comes to relationships, the Bible is clear. If our issue is with God, we take it to God; if it is with people, we take it to people (Matthew 5:23-24). If there is an issue, we should seek to resolve it – and quickly. We should seek to keep short accounts with God and with people.
But if someone is assailing us and attacking us without due cause, then we stand with David. In that case, we take it to God as he did and plead our case before Him.
Following on from David’s just heart, we see An Unjust Harassment.
Again, David is plain about what this is costing him:
Psalms 17:8-12 NIVUK
[8] Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings [9] from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. [10] They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. [11] They have
tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. [12] They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover. https://bible.com/bible/113/psa.17.8-12.NIVUK
These are very poetic, evocative words. Their impact is all the greater when we realise that David has done nothing to deserve this. As far as his interaction with these people are concerned, he is innocent. He has not harmed them in anyway, but they are seeking to harm him.
I grew up in a poor and poorly educated neighbourhood. For reasons I have never been able to figure out other than the fact we were different, my family and I had a target on our back. Our house was vandalised. Our windows were smashed. Thugs threw stones at us. They threatened us. They even tried to break into our house.
We lived there for seventeen years.
I know how it feels to not feel safe, even in your own home.
It is a desperate, desperate situation.
That is where David is in these verses.
And it’s not the only place where he mentions it either.
Psalm 38:1-12 has similar verses. As does Psalm 40:11-12. And Psalm 56:5-6. And Psalm 59:1-4.
Do you get the picture?
This is a common experience of people seeking to live a righteous life among those who do not. Let’s not fool ourselves: intolerance is just as strong today as it used to be, only this time it wears a different mask – that of the preening, self-righteous, hypocritical, trite cancel culture.
Don’t get me wrong: there are those whose behaviour and message are so abhorrent they fully deserve to be silenced.
But not Christians. Not humble believers who just want to live their lives God’s way.
And yet we can be silenced. Very easily.
I want you to notice how David responds to this. It isn’t easy for us to take. Especially nowadays.
Take a look at verse 14:
Psalms 17:14 NIVUK
[14] By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones. https://bible.com/bible/113/psa.17.14.NIVUK
We have to understand these words correctly, even if they make us thoroughly uncomfortable. A blessing is a ‘good word’ said about someone. It is wishing good things for them.
A curse is the opposite: when we wish bad things to happen to someone.
This is, then, a curse.
And it is quite the curse: on both the people attacking David and their children.
This is absolutely not the only, and not the most violent, curse in the Psalms.
Try this little beauty, from a Psalm made famous by Boney M – but they didn’t sing this line:
Psalms 137:9 NIVUK
[9] Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. https://bible.com/bible/113/psa.137.9.NIVUK
Now, before we start to think this is okay, we need to read this verse:
Romans 12:14 NIVUK
[14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. https://bible.com/bible/113/rom.12.14.NIVUK
So for every Christian, and in any situation, cursing is not ever an option.
But why is it in the Psalms?
I think it is there for a simple, but beautiful, reason.
Although we have to disagree with what he says, David is pouring out his heart to God. He is baring his soul. He is releasing his pent-up hurt and frustration. He might be doing it in a way that causes us a little confusion, but there is a deep integrity in his words. Before God, he is who he us, and he feels how he feels. There is no acting. There is no pretending.
I believe this is why Jesus gave us the command to pray to God in the secret, hidden place, out of sight of everyone else, where we are not tempted to play to the crowd (Matthew 6:6).
But what do we do when we are there? Do we put on the same airs and graces as we do when we are in church? Do we pray with the same starchy formality?
Why do that, when even the Holy Spirit intercedes for us like this?
Romans 8:26 NIVUK
[26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. https://bible.com/bible/113/rom.8.26.NIVUK
So when he is in trouble, David vents before the Lord. When we are in trouble, the Holy Spirit groans before the Lord.
But how do we pray?
Do we pray with a spelling and grammar checker?
Do we pray as if we are auditioning for a Shakespeare production?
God will not honour that!
Or do we pray like Hannah, whom Eli thought was drunk (1 Samuel 1:12-14)?
Do we pray like the tax collector, in sincere pleading (Luke 18:13)?
Do we pray with honesty, integrity and genuine emotion?
Those are the kind of prayers God honours.
So we’ve seen a just heart, and how we should examine ourselves to see if our heart is truly just. We've also seen an unjust harassment, and how this should cause us to seek God for justice with our whole heart.
Lastly, we see A Just Hope.
And this truly takes faith:
Psalms 17:15 NIVUK
[15] As for me, I shall be vindicated and shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
David does not see his suffering as being permanent. He sees it as short-term: like a nightmare from which he will someday wake up.
This is the hope of every Christian.
Not in the vain hope of something vaguely positive happening in the future when you cannot be sure of it will. As I write these lines, supporters of the football (soccer) teams of twenty-four nations (including my own) are hoping that their team will make it to the second round of Euro 2024. Some have a strong hope based on the evidence they have seen in their previous matches. Some do not. Others have the calculators out, trying to look for a mathematical loophole that would increase their hope.
But none know for sure until they have definitely qualified.
Our hope is not like that.
Romans 5:5 NIVUK
[5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. https://bible.com/bible/113/rom.5.5.NIVUK
Our hope will happen. Our hope is certain.
Our suffering will end.
Revelation 21:3-5 NIVUK
[3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ [5] He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ https://bible.com/bible/113/rev.21.3-5.NIVUK
David mentions two things that he will receive when God comes to his aid.
Firstly, vindication. In essence, after all the doubts, David will be proved correct. After all the insinuation and innuendo, David will be provided innocent.
All his wrongs will become rights.
And that is the hope of every Christian.
Secondly, satisfaction. David will be satisfied when he sees the face of the Lord.
Now, this is quite special, and something that is a theme of quite a few Psalms. David will not just be satisfied when God beats back his enemies and vindicates David. No, his hope is on seeing the Lord, on his relationship with God being closer, on experiencing the presence of God in his situation.
Of course, this is a sign of hope to come. Feeling God close to him is a sign to David that his vindication and victory are near. But he is not just delighting in what the Lord can do for him. No, he is also delighting in who the Lord is. And that is what makes the difference.
Because of who the Lord is, David knows he will be vindicated.
Because of who the Lord is, David can pour out his heart to him.
Because of who the Lord is, David sees the benefit of maintaining a clear conscience towards his enemies.
It is the Lord.
It is always the Lord.
It could never be anyone but the Lord.
There are millions of Christians across the globe who face stern opposition not because of anything they have done wrong, but simply because of who they are. Here, in this Psalm, we see words of comfort for those who find themselves in this truly challenging situation.
Who knows, you might be one of those people who needs these words?
When people hurt you because of who you are, take comfort in who God is.
Keep your conscience clear before your enemies. You will not regret it.
Pour out your heart to God. He will not ignore it.
Seek God for who is. He will always honour it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, search my heart and help me to see if there is any way in which I have provoked people to attack me. Help me to keep a clear conscience. I love You for who You are. I delight in You. Vindicate me, O Lord. Amen.
Questions
1. How could David say he had a clear conscience before his enemies? Do you have that?
2. Have you ever poured your heart out to the Lord? What happened? How did you feel?
3. Do you delight in God for who He is or what He can do? What is the difference? Which is better and why?
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