Thy Strong Word — Psalm 17. Keep praying saints: When surrounded by enemies—pray!

Rev. Aaron Spratt, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Juneau, AK & missionary for Alaska Mission for Christ, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 17.

David confidently pleads with the LORD to hear and care for him. Knowing that in the LORD’s grace forgiveness was his, David invites an investigation of his sins. We find our complete confidence in the blood of Christ knowing that “our sins are not greater than Jesus’ forgiveness.” David was surrounded by enemies but we are in a Mighty Fortress, the Lord Jesus, who fights for us. “Arise O Lord, fight for me, bring me to You face to face, and fill us with grace that I may be satisfied with Your likeness above everything else. In Christ, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Psalm 17

In the Shadow of Your Wings

A Prayer of David.

17 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
²From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!

³You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
    you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
    I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
⁴With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
    I have avoided the ways of the violent.
⁵My steps have held fast to your paths;
    my feet have not slipped.

⁶I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
    incline your ear to me; hear my words.
⁷Wondrously show^[a] your steadfast love,
    O Savior of those who seek refuge
    from their adversaries at your right hand.

⁸Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
⁹from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

¹⁰They close their hearts to pity;
    with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
¹¹They have now surrounded our steps;
    they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
¹²He is like a lion eager to tear,
    as a young lion lurking in ambush.

¹³Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
    Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
¹⁴from men by your hand, O Lord,
    from men of the world whose portion is in this life.^[b]
You fill their womb with treasure;^[c]
    they are satisfied with children,
    and they leave their abundance to their infants.

¹⁵As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Footnotes

Psalm 17:7 Or Distinguish me by
Psalm 17:14 Or from men whose portion in life is of the world
Psalm 17:14 Or As for your treasured ones, you fill their womb

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)