Prayer Target : ASK using the Word of God for Israel.
As you pray through this Psalm, turn it to the problems Israel faces today.
As an intercessor you can pray these promises for them and that Israelis would begin to call out to God themselves. v1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” A very present help speaks of the reality of God’s promise and the speed in which He will act .
In other places, Israel is called the apple (pupil) of God’s eye reminding you of the immediate reaction you have when something tries to penetrate your eye.
References to Israel as the pupil of God’s eye are first seen in the song of Moses in Deuteronomy
32:10. This was to be learned and sung by the people to remind them of God’s covenant promises.
Deuteronomy 32:9 “For the LORD’s portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. v10 He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled Him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye, v11 as an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings taking them up, carrying them on its wings, there was no foreign god with him.” v12 so the Lord alone led them, and
Zechariah prophesies to the future destiny and prosperity of Israel.
2:8 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. V9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants.
Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me .”
David wrote this Psalm acknowledging God’s care.
Psalm 17:7 “Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in you from those who rise up against them. V8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from my deadly
enemies that surround me.” v2 “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; v3 though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.”
Selah
( Selah is a musical pause, to stop, consider what is being said. Apply this to your meditation.)

v4 “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle (dwelling place) of the Most High.” Revelation talks about a pure river of water of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, the resurrected Jesus Christ (Messiah).
Jews could know this from the Old Testament reference to this same river of life and healing flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47. v5 “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved (shaken ); God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.” Break of dawn is the usual time of enemy attack. v6 “The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved (waver, slip, fall) ; He uttered His voice, the earth melted .” Kingdoms refers to those nations that came against Israel; some were removed and are no more, some lost their prominence. Earth here refers to Israel’s enemies; their resolve melts, they become faint hearted and fearful. v7 “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Selah v8 “Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.”
Desolations are astonishing , wonderful things, referring to God overcoming evil against Israel.
Context gives these examples: v9 “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.” These are examples of ways God protects Israel . v10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” This is not calling Christians to silent worship. Still here means slacken, to weaken. It is a warning. It means, “Stop!” Nations warring against Israel will be weakened, destroyed. (Genesis 12:1) This is God’s command t o those who hate Israel. Speak these binding words to the spirits working in the atmosphere of hate; He will do astonishingly things on behalf of Israel as He said He would.
This is much like the Mark 4:39, “Peace, be still!” that Jesus spoke to the demonic behind the raging storm, where “ Peace, be still , means be muzzled !” v11 “The LORD of hosts (God of the armies) is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Application : Ask God to give you a heart to pray for Israel. Pray out the insights you receive in meditation. ASK for salvation and understanding for those who would destroy Israel.
2