Psalm 17 - NKJV 1 Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. 2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. 3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. 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 lovingkindness 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. 10 They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. 11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, 12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, O LORD, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword, 14 With Your hand from men, O LORD, From men of the world who have their portion in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their possession for their babes. 15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. A Prayer of David.

Slip n' Slide All of the Psalms of David have multiple lines of truth that jump out from the text. This is another one of those. Here David makes several statements that shout for commentary or prolonged thought. Remember "SELAH"? It means "Stop and think about that." Look at verses 3, 5, 8, 13, and 15. Each of them deserve thought and commentary, but we will look at only one of them this time around. Verse 5: "That my footsteps may not slip." David was a shepherd. He was used to being in the rugged outdoors. Everything that could happen,did happen in his young life. That gave him much food for thought and fuel for his poetic analogies and metaphores. Perhaps we can best grasp this truth by seeing David leading his sheep up the rocky crags to better pasture. He followed the well worn paths that his predesessors used for centuries. Yet, there was always a temptation to leave the well worn path to strick out in search of a shortcut or a better way. He often referred to "the path" in his psalms. There is the right path and the wrong path. There is the narrow road and the broad road. There is the highway to heaven and the path to hell. Then he speaks of footsteps, or his steps. In those days they did not have hiking boots. They wore sandles. Sandles are not the best footwear for hiking through rocky crags let alone on flat pastures. Sure footedness was essential to survival. If David were to fall and break a leg, or even twist and ancle, no one would be passing by to rescue him. There would be no search parties, no helicopters, no blood hounds to the search and rescue. He would be "dead meat" for any of the wild preditors. One false step could be disaster. Thus, he wanted to be sure to put his foot in the right spot each step. Perhaps he often walked on that dangerous ground breathing prayers of protection with each step he took. We are no different. God has a designated path for us to follow. His word is our road map. God has steps ordained for us. For that there is not exact map but a leaning, not on our own understanding but wholly leaning on his leading and direction. David later testified, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way." The Holy Spirit is our consant guide and companion on this journey through rough terrain. He whispers. We would be wise to be listening for that "still small voice of warning and correction." PATHS Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalms 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Psalms 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Psalms 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. STEPS Psalms 17:11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; Psalms 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalms 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Psalms 44:18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; Psalms 56:6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. Psalms 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. Psalms 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. Psalms 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. KEY VERSES: 3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; 5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 13 Arise, O LORD, Confront him, cast him down;Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword, 14 With Your hand from men, O LORD, 15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. New King James Bible, Bible Gateway Index Our Devotional Index