Psalm 17 is a prayer of David, and David prays from a heart that’s been influenced and shaped by Scripture. He insists, “With regard to the works of many, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent” (Ps. 17:4). David has meditated on and delighted in the word of Yahweh’s lips—the Scripture, specifically the Torah. David’s commitment to the words of Yahweh has led him away from foolish paths.
In Psalm 17:7–8, we see some examples of David’s use of earlier Scripture. And this use is intriguing because it involves parts of the Torah that pertain to Israel as a nation. With these allusions, David is portraying himself as Israel, which is fitting because he is Israel’s king, one who is to represent righteousness and love the Torah (see Deut. 17:14–20).
Psalm 17:7–8 say:
17:7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
Verse 7 alludes to Exodus 15, and verse 8 alludes to Deuteronomy 32.
In Exodus 15:11–13, we read about God “doing wonders,” God’s “right hand,” and God’s “steadfast love.” The overlapping language in Psalm 17:7 is “Wondrously show,” “steadfast love,” and “right hand.” The significance of Exodus 15 is that it’s right after the Red Sea deliverance. Exodus 15:11–13 is part of the Song of Moses, the hymn offered in praise to God’s rescuing might.
In Psalm 17, as David considers his own plight, he invokes language from Exodus 15 in his prayer. He calls upon the God of the exodus to once again show rescuing might.
In Deuteronomy 32, we find ourselves in another song of Moses. Part of this song is Moses reflecting on God establishing and caring for the people of Israel. Speaking of God’s care of Israel, Moses says, “He encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deut. 32:10). And, “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them…” (Deut. 32:11).
Being kept as the “apple” of God’s eye is a picture of care and protection, like an eagle spreading out its “wings” over its young. Deuteronomy 32:10–11 uses these images, and David alludes to both of them in Psalm 17:8. He prays, “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Israel’s king is praying for God’s care and protection. He wants God to give him what Israel received centuries earlier.
Let’s make some summary observations about David’s use of Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32 in Psalm 17.
1. In Psalm 17:7–8, David alludes to two places in the Torah: Exodus 15:11–13 and Deuteronomy 32:10–11. The cluster of particular imagery and phrasing establishes this.
2. Both sources of allusions are songs, the first being after Israel’s deliverance through the Red Sea, and the second being near the end of Moses’s life.
3. The allusions pertained to things God had done for Israel, and David is praying that those things will now be done for him. He is depicting himself, rightly, as Israel’s representative, the anointed one.
4. As demonstrated by allusions to Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32, David’s prayers are influenced and shaped by earlier Scripture.
5. With the king depicting himself in language that pertained to Israel, we’re being prepared for the idea of David’s greater Son embodying Israel as well. Jesus, the Son of David, is the true Israel.
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