The world often feels like a broken record of injustice. Just turn on the news or scroll through social media, and it doesn't take long to see the overwhelming problems people face. Everyone is going through something, and much of it feels incredibly unfair.
Even as Christians, we are not immune to times when people have acted unfairly toward us. In fact, the Bible, particularly the New Testament, tells us to expect mistreatment because of our faith in Jesus as Savior.
John 15:18-21 NKJV [18] “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
II Timothy 3:12-13 NKJV Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. [13] But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
So, how do we navigate these turbulent waters? Psalm 17 offers a powerful guide on how to trust God when we've been hurt by others.
Psalm 17 A Prayer for Vindication
Psalms 17:1-15 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.
.
Written by David, this psalm is a raw, honest prayer from a man who knew injustice intimately. His life paints a clear picture. David, who was anointed king by God, was yet relentlessly slandered, pursued, and attacked by King Saul. Despite every reason to doubt God's hand in his life, David poured out his heart in this prayer, demonstrating that prayer is the key.
David didn't seek out his friends, appeal to the authorities, or rally an army. He was wronged, yet he went directly to God. Not only did David cry out to God, but he also called on God to act.
Why Do We Hesitate to Call Out to God?
Perhaps we struggle to believe that God is truly all-powerful. If God were omnipotent, couldn't He have stopped the injustice? Or if He allowed it, doesn't He have the power to make it right? Maybe we believe God doesn't care, wondering if He hasn't stepped in because He doesn't love us. We might be guilty of believing these things about God, but David clearly was not.
David’s prayer cuts right to the chase. In verse 2, he declares, “Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.” He's essentially saying, “You know what they did was wrong, so do something!"
David recognized that vengeance would not come from himself, but God would make things right. God alone has the power to avenge wrongs, and David truly believed God loved him.
Romans 12:19 NKJV Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Declaring Your Innocence and God's Character
David tells God that he hasn’t done anything wrong. We sometimes quickly pray for forgiveness, which we should do but we often overlook situations where we are genuinely innocent.
Being treated unjustly means a wrong was done to us without it being our fault. It's not prideful to tell God, "I didn't do anything wrong!" God knows, of course, but reminding ourselves and saying it aloud to God helps keep our hearts pure. David must have examined his heart to be able to pray with such conviction.
The rest of the psalm focuses on David declaring who God is and what God will do and has done. This is so important when we pray! It's easy to tell God, "This is what's wrong." We might even be tempted to tell God how we think He should punish the wicked. But David doesn’t dwell on this. Instead, David declares to God, "You will hear me, you will save, you will keep me safe from my enemies."
Psalms 17:6-9 NKJV[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. (emphasis mine)
These are declarations that reflect God’s character and His past and future actions.
Focusing our prayers on God’s character and His past and future actions helps us find peace in the present moment. David asks God to punish those who have acted wickedly against him, but then David settles his heart that, eventually, everything will be made right.
Psalms 17:15 NKJV As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
Many scholars believe David is speaking of how everything will be made right when he passes from this life into the next, where he will see God face to face. Others suggest he's simply talking about going to sleep at night and waking up knowing God will take care of things. Both interpretations are true.
God will indeed make all things right. All evil will be punished, and God will be the ultimate judge. Although it is hard, and we often want to judge or take matters into our own hands, we can trust God. Ultimately, we can rest in the fact that God loves us and He will execute perfect justice.
Deuteronomy 32:35 NKJV Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.
As David wrote, we too can say;
Psalms 17:6-7 NKJV [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.
Today, pray to God, telling Him of your innocence when you have been wronged. Call upon God to act, and then rest, knowing He will execute perfect justice. Remember, maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will is a continuous process that requires regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. Trusting Him with injustice is a vital part of that journey.
Even as Christians, we are not immune to times when people have acted unfairly toward us. In fact, the Bible, particularly the New Testament, tells us to expect mistreatment because of our faith in Jesus as Savior.
John 15:18-21 NKJV [18] “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
II Timothy 3:12-13 NKJV Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. [13] But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
So, how do we navigate these turbulent waters? Psalm 17 offers a powerful guide on how to trust God when we've been hurt by others.
Psalm 17 A Prayer for Vindication
Psalms 17:1-15 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.
.
Written by David, this psalm is a raw, honest prayer from a man who knew injustice intimately. His life paints a clear picture. David, who was anointed king by God, was yet relentlessly slandered, pursued, and attacked by King Saul. Despite every reason to doubt God's hand in his life, David poured out his heart in this prayer, demonstrating that prayer is the key.
David didn't seek out his friends, appeal to the authorities, or rally an army. He was wronged, yet he went directly to God. Not only did David cry out to God, but he also called on God to act.
Why Do We Hesitate to Call Out to God?
Perhaps we struggle to believe that God is truly all-powerful. If God were omnipotent, couldn't He have stopped the injustice? Or if He allowed it, doesn't He have the power to make it right? Maybe we believe God doesn't care, wondering if He hasn't stepped in because He doesn't love us. We might be guilty of believing these things about God, but David clearly was not.
David’s prayer cuts right to the chase. In verse 2, he declares, “Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.” He's essentially saying, “You know what they did was wrong, so do something!"
David recognized that vengeance would not come from himself, but God would make things right. God alone has the power to avenge wrongs, and David truly believed God loved him.
Romans 12:19 NKJV Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Declaring Your Innocence and God's Character
David tells God that he hasn’t done anything wrong. We sometimes quickly pray for forgiveness, which we should do but we often overlook situations where we are genuinely innocent.
Being treated unjustly means a wrong was done to us without it being our fault. It's not prideful to tell God, "I didn't do anything wrong!" God knows, of course, but reminding ourselves and saying it aloud to God helps keep our hearts pure. David must have examined his heart to be able to pray with such conviction.
The rest of the psalm focuses on David declaring who God is and what God will do and has done. This is so important when we pray! It's easy to tell God, "This is what's wrong." We might even be tempted to tell God how we think He should punish the wicked. But David doesn’t dwell on this. Instead, David declares to God, "You will hear me, you will save, you will keep me safe from my enemies."
Psalms 17:6-9 NKJV[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. (emphasis mine)
These are declarations that reflect God’s character and His past and future actions.
Focusing our prayers on God’s character and His past and future actions helps us find peace in the present moment. David asks God to punish those who have acted wickedly against him, but then David settles his heart that, eventually, everything will be made right.
Psalms 17:15 NKJV As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
Many scholars believe David is speaking of how everything will be made right when he passes from this life into the next, where he will see God face to face. Others suggest he's simply talking about going to sleep at night and waking up knowing God will take care of things. Both interpretations are true.
God will indeed make all things right. All evil will be punished, and God will be the ultimate judge. Although it is hard, and we often want to judge or take matters into our own hands, we can trust God. Ultimately, we can rest in the fact that God loves us and He will execute perfect justice.
Deuteronomy 32:35 NKJV Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.
As David wrote, we too can say;
Psalms 17:6-7 NKJV [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.
Today, pray to God, telling Him of your innocence when you have been wronged. Call upon God to act, and then rest, knowing He will execute perfect justice. Remember, maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will is a continuous process that requires regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. Trusting Him with injustice is a vital part of that journey.
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