Psalm 17:6-9 NKJV – 6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous loving kindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.
This psalm is a prayer of David. I love how direct David is when he is talking to God. David asks God to hear his voice, but David also acknowledges that God will hear him. David asks God to show His marvelous lovingkindness, but David also acknowledges that God saves those who trust in Him. When we go to God in prayer, we are to make our needs known Him. We also should acknowledge that God and only God will meet those needs. Faith is trusting in God.
In verse 8 David prays for God to keep him as the apple of His eye. Apple also refers to the word pupil. David is praying for God’s protection, but he is not referencing the cornea of the eye. We know the phrase “apple of my eye” is when someone is important to you, or someone you are fond of. David also asked God in verse 8 to hide him under the shadow of His wings. Great illustration of how a mother bird protects their young under the shadow of their wing. David understood the love of God and David knew he is loved by God. But sill David acknowledges God’s love and protection for His children. You can feel a sense of intimacy and humility spoken in David’s prayer.
In our prayer time may we too approach God with confidence and humility like David did. May we always acknowledge how great our God is and how only He can meet our needs. May we embrace that we too are the apple of God’s eye, and that He covers us under the shadow of His wings. The pupil allows light to enter the retina. Is God the apple of your eye?
