**Title: The Cry of the Righteous – A Meditation on Psalm 17**
In the quiet hours before dawn, when the world lay still beneath the veil of night, a man knelt upon the cold stone floor of his chamber. His name was David, a shepherd turned king, yet in this moment, he was neither—only a soul laid bare before his God. The weight of his troubles pressed upon him, and his heart burned with a plea for justice.
**”Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry.”** His voice trembled, not with fear, but with the fervor of one who knew his cause was righteous. He lifted his hands, calloused from years of battle and toil, and his eyes, though weary, gleamed with unwavering faith. **”Let my vindication come from You; may Your eyes see what is right.”**
The oil lamp flickered beside him, casting long shadows upon the walls. Memories of his enemies rose like specters—those who whispered lies in the courts, who sharpened their tongues like swords to pierce his name. They came with flattering lips, yet their hearts were bent on destruction. David clenched his fists, not in rage, but in resolve. **”Though You probe my heart, though You examine me at night and test me, You will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.”**
Outside, the wind howled through the hills of Jerusalem, a reminder of the wilderness where he had once fled from Saul’s wrath. Even then, God had been his refuge. He closed his eyes and saw again the lion and the bear he had slain as a youth—not by his own strength, but by the hand of the Almighty. **”I have kept myself from the ways of the violent; my steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not stumbled.”**
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he leaned forward, forehead nearly touching the ground. **”I call on You, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer.”** His voice grew softer, yet more intense, as if heaven itself leaned closer to listen. **”Show me the wonders of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.”**
Then, as if the Spirit stirred within him, his words took on the fire of prophecy. **”Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings.”** He could almost feel the divine presence enveloping him, like the wings of a great eagle shielding its young. The terrors of the night faded, and for a fleeting moment, he knew—he was not alone.
But the vision shifted. Now he saw his adversaries, lurking like ravenous beasts, their eyes glinting with malice. **”They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.”** They tracked him as a lion tracks its prey, waiting to pounce. Yet David did not flinch. **”Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down; with Your sword deliver me from the wicked.”**
His plea was not born of vengeance, but of justice. He longed not for their destruction, but for the triumph of righteousness. **”By Your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life.”** For he knew the fate of the wicked—their bellies filled with treasure, their children satisfied with spoil. But what were earthly riches compared to the glory of God’s presence?
Then, as the first light of dawn crept through the window, David’s voice softened into a whisper of hope. **”As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your likeness.”** A peace settled over him, deeper than the stillness of the morning. He knew that whether in life or death, his soul would find its rest in the presence of the Lord.
And so, with the sun rising over the city, the king rose from his knees. The battle was not yet over, the enemies not yet silenced—but he walked forward in confidence. For he had been heard. The Righteous Judge had inclined His ear, and in that sacred moment, David knew: the victory was already won.
**The End.**
