Psalm 17 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
Verse 2From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.
Verse 3If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.
Verse 4As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
Verse 5My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Verse 6I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.
Verse 7Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
Verse 8Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
Verse 9from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.
Verse 10They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
Verse 11They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
Verse 12They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
Verse 13Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them! By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
Verse 14from mortals-by your hand, O Lord- from mortals whose portion in life is in this world. May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their little ones.
Verse 15As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
Devotion
What was going on in Jesus' mind as he walked toward Jerusalem? The Psalms tell us, for Jesus had them inscribed in his heart. One psalm for this first week of Lent is Psalm 17. The psalmist laments injustice, particularly cruelty done to him. But he calls on God's justice and for God's protection. King David does the same. Even when he's guilty, he calls for God's justice. He knows God's mercy overwhelms God's justice. Jesus is God's mercy made flesh. In this lenten journey, let us walk as Jesus walked, and let the words that guided him direct us.
Prayer
Gracious God, you promise that your mercy outruns your justice, and you sent your Son to be in our midst, mercy made flesh, as a sign of that promise. May we receive the blessing of your mercy with open hands and share your blessing with others. Amen.