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ps17.8
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1993-03-27
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EXPOSITION.
"_Keep me as the apple of the eye_." No part of the body
more precious, more tender, and more carefully guarded than the
eye; and of the eye, no portion more peculiarly to be protected
than the central apple, the pupil, or, as the Hebrew calls it,
"the daughter of the eye." The all-wise Creator has placed the
eye in a well-protected position; it stands surrounded by
projecting bones like Jerusalem encircled by mountains. Moreover,
its great Author has surrounded it with many tunics of inward
covering, besides the hedge of the eyebrows, the curtain of the
eyelids, and the fence of the eyelashes; and, in addition to
this, he has given to every man so high a value for his eyes, and
so quick an apprehension of danger, that no member of the body is
more faithfully cared for than the organ of sight. Thus, Lord,
keep thou me, for I trust I am one with Jesus, and so a member of
his mystical body. "_Hide me under the shadow of thy wings_."
Even as the parent bird completely shields her brood from evil,
and meanwhile cherishes them with the warmth of her own heart, by
covering them with her wings, so do thou with me, most
condescending God, for I am thine offspring, and thou hast a
parent's love in perfection. This last clause is in the Hebrew in
the future tense, as if to show that what the writer had asked
for but a moment before he was now sure would be granted to him.
Confident expectation should keep pace with earnest supplication.
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS.
Verse 8.--"_Keep me as the apple of the eye_." He prays
for deliverance (verse #7|), "_Show thy marvellous
lovingkindness_" to me; Lord, my straits they are marvellous, I
know not what to do, whither to turn me, but my eyes are towards
thee; as straits are marvellous, so let the lovingkindness of God
be marvellous towards me, and "_Keep me as the apple of thy
eye_." O Lord unto them I am but a dog, a vile creature in the
eyes of Saul and those about him: but blessed be thy name, I can
look up to thee, and know that I am dear unto thee _as the apple
of thy eye_. All the saints of God are dear to God at all times,
but the persecuted saints, they are the apple of God's eye; if at
any time they are dear to God, then especially when they are most
persecuted; now they are _the apple of his eye_, and _the apple
of an eye_ is weak, and little able to resist any hurt, but so
much the more is the man tender of the apple of his eye. The
saints are weak and shiftless for themselves, but the Lord is so
much the more tender over them.--^Jeremiah Burroughs.
Verse 8.--Does it not appear to thee to be a work of
providence, that considering the weakness of the eye, he has
protected it with eyelids, as with doors, which whenever there is
occasion to use it are opened, and are again closed in sleep? And
that it may not receive injury from the winds, he has planted on
it eyelashes like a strainer; and over the eyes has disposed the
eyebrows like a penthouse, so that the sweat from the head may do
no mischief.--^Socrates, in Xenophon.
HINTS TO PREACHERS.
Verse 8.--Two most suggestive emblems of tenderness and
care. Involving in the one case living unity, as the eye with the
body, and in the other, loving relationship, as the bird and its
young.