Daily Devotion 07 November 2025

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 17:8

READING: Psalm 17: 1-9

Likely written when Saul was pursuing David in the wilderness, this psalm records David's urgent plea for deliverance. Verse 8 uses two famous phrases describing God's tender care and love: "apple of Your eye" and "shadow of Your wings". Both these are found in many parts of the Bible.

The apple of the eye, or, in literally translated, "the blackness of the eye", is the pupil, so essential to our sight, and something we take great pains to protect. David, then, asks God to protect him with that level of care and tenderness.

We are like that eye, weak and tender, easily hurt and put to pain, made uneasy by every little thing that annoys it, so vulnerable. And in the same way as God has provided eyelids, eyebrows and other methods of guarding our physical eyes, so He provides care of our lives.

Other scholars suggest the Hebrew words can be alternatively translated as a diminutive, ‘tiny man’, referring to the way in which one can sometimes see oneself reflected in the pupil of the other's eye; we know ourselves to be so near to God, that, as it were, our image in miniature is mirrored in the great eye of God.

The second image, "the shadow of your wings," evokes a mother bird protecting her young. Deuteronomy 32:11 gives us a wonderful image of God's gracious, meticulous care; “As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads her wings to catch them, and carries them up high on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead him".  He not only protects us, but He encourages us to fly, like the mother eagle, always ready to catch us on its back and raise us up. We are safe and secure, and like the psalmist, we can say, “Because You are my help, I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 63:7).

Jesus speaks of how often He longs to gather us up like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. (Matthew 23:37). Jesus is waiting, and longing, to hear our cries and to be there for us.

Prayer

Lord God, I sing for joy because I am the precious apple of Your eye, the safe chick under Your wing. Thank You that You hold me so close that I am mirrored in Your eye, held in Your love. Amen.