A Prayer Of A Suffering Servant Series

Series: The Hebrew Hymnal (Psalms) [#14]

HYMNS #17: A PRAYER OF A SUFFERING SERVANT

Psalm 17

This psalm is a prayer of David¡¦s at the time he was running from King Saul; but instead of looking at this psalm from David¡¦s perspective let¡¦s look at it from the perspective of a suffering servant of God. There are three request to God made in this psalm.

Lord, Hear Me

Psalm 17:1-6

The one here is suffering and begins by asking God to do three things:

„© Examine me: We can¡¦t just go to God haphazardly. We can¡¦t go to Him with unconfessed sin in our heart and expect a holy and just God to change the rules for us.

„© Exonerate me: Jesus proved during His life on this earth that He was pure. Nothing in His life was found that was impure. We are to be holy because God is holy. We are to be pure.

„© Exercise me: Jesus knew at the Garden of Gethsemane what was ahead of Him, yet He never strayed from God¡¦s will.

Lord, Hide Me

Psalm 17:7-9

Jesus asked the Father, ¡§If it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.¡¨ There are three reasons given here why God should hide His suffering servant:

„© God is merciful.

„© God is mighty.

„© God is our refuge.

Lord, Help Me

Psalm 17:10-15

Verses 10-12 explain the circumstances and the last three verses explain that the psalmist is trusting God to handle these circumstances. Notice verse 15. Death from this earth is not the end, but is stepping into the presence of God.