Psalms 17: Under the Shadow of Your Wings

The title says this is a Prayer by David. David asks Yahweh to hear his righteous plea. He says his steps have held fast to God's paths and his feet have not slipped. He asks God to show his marvelous loving kindness, to keep him as the apple of his eye, and to hide him under the shadow of his wings from the wicked who surround him. He ends saying he shall see God's face in righteousness and be satisfied.

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Bible:

Read Psalms 17

World English Bible · 15 verses

¹ A Prayer by David. Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Psalms 17 · Preschool

Under God's Wings

Name Date

Color the bird and its wings. God keeps us safe like a bird keeps its babies under its wings.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.”

Psalms 17:6 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: A mother bird keeps her babies safe under her wings. God keeps us safe too. Let's hug ourselves and say, God keeps me safe!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Psalms 17 · Grade 4

The Apple of Your Eye

Name Date

Read and Think

Psalm 17's title says it is a Prayer by David. David asks Yahweh to hear his righteous plea, a prayer that doesn't go out of deceitful lips. God has tested his heart and visited him in the night. David says, My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped. He calls on God because he is sure God will answer.

David asks God to show his marvelous loving kindness and save those who take refuge in him. He prays, Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings. The apple of the eye is something very precious that is carefully protected. His enemies were proud and surrounded him like a hungry lion, so he asks God to rescue him. The psalm ends, I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

Show What You Know

What kind of lips does David's prayer not come from?
What does the apple of the eye mean?
What does David compare his enemies to?
What will satisfy David?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

Godstepswingseye

has tested his heart and visited him in the night.
David says, My have held fast to your paths.
He prays, Keep me as the apple of your .
Hide me under the shadow of your .

Think About It

David pictured God hiding him under his wings. When do you need to feel God's protection?
You are precious to God like the apple of his eye. How should that change the way you see yourself?

Memory Verse

“I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.”

Psalms 17:6 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for hiding me under Your wings. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

David's feet had not slipped from God's paths. What helps you keep walking with God when it is hard?
How does it change your day to know God treasures you?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Psalms 17 · Grade 5

Hidden in the Shadow of His Wings

Name Date

Read and Think

Psalm 17's title says it is a Prayer by David. David begins with an appeal for justice: Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn't go out of deceitful lips. He invites God to examine him: You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. He is not claiming to be sinless, but he is honest that he has kept himself from the ways of the violent and that his feet have not slipped from God's paths.

Then he pleads for protection with two tender pictures: Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings. The apple of the eye is the pupil, which we protect instantly, and the wings recall a bird sheltering its young. His enemies have callous hearts, speak proudly, and are like a lion lurking in secret places, so he asks Yahweh to arise, confront them, and deliver his soul.

The ending contrasts two kinds of people. The men of the world have their portion in this life. David's hope is different: As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form. His deepest satisfaction is not wealth or safety but God himself.

Show What You Know

What does David invite God to do?
What is the apple of the eye?
How are men of the world described?
What is David's deepest satisfaction?

Crossword

Across

By the word of your ____.
My steps have held fast to your ____.
Keep me as the apple of your ____.

Down

A ____ by David.
My ____ have held fast to your paths.

Think About It

David asked God to examine his heart. What might God find if he examined yours today?
The men of the world have their portion in this life. What would it look like for God to be your greatest treasure?

Memory Verse

“As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.”

Psalms 17:15 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for hiding me under Your wings. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

David prayed with confidence that God would answer. What makes your prayers bold or timid?
What do you hope for more than things of this world?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Psalms 17: Under the Shadow of Your Wings

Read Psalms 17

Worksheets

Under God's Wings

Prayer

Take It Home

Safe with God

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

God Keeps Me Safe

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Under Your Wings

Prayer

Take It Home

The Apple of God's Eye

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Hide Me Under Your Wings

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Under Your Wings

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

The Apple of Your Eye

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Hidden in the Shadow of His Wings

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options