Apple of Your Eye
OCTOBER 20, 2026
SCRIPTURE COLLECTION
Today's Scripture Passage
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17:8-9
Related Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 32:10–11
Proverbs 7:2
Matthew 23:37
Psalm 121:3–8
Isaiah 53:4–6
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Notes & Reflections
The phrase “apple of your eye” has been tossed around in the past by many people.
For some, it seems abstract and rather abstruse when they think about it. They think they understand what it means, but if you were to ask them, they’d probably say, “I’m not sure.”
The phrase is actually an English idiom. This means that it is figurative and trying to express something. But in the literal translation, it says, “the little man of the eye.” It’s the pupil or the ball of the eye [ESV Expository Commentary, Volume 5, 144]. It’s the place where you can see the little reflection of yourself.
When the Psalmist says, “Keep me as the apple of your eye,” he’s pointing to the fact that the eye is valuable and that it requires protection. He’s simply asking God to protect him like a man would protect his eyes. This is also why the Psalmist intensifies his request by asking God to hide him in the shadow of His wings.
An eye is a very sensitive and personal piece of the body; it points to one’s care for oneself. On the other hand, to be in the shadow of a wing speaks of the care for another. But not just any other; it speaks of the care of a mother bird and her young. These two pictures, when put together, give us a beautiful and full picture.
The fact that the Psalmist makes such a request of God shows how much he knows God and how he views God. He not only leans on the great power of God, as he reads of in the stories of the wilderness (Deuteronomy 32:10), but he also embraces the fact that God is close. He knows that God’s love isn’t selfish but personal and familial, and the only way he can describe it is from what he sees in nature.
Psalm 91:4 says:
“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.”
God’s love is sure, it is faithful, and it is immutable. So, the Psalmist, in times of danger “from the wicked who do me violence,” calls out again and again. And as his “deadly enemies” surround him, he asks God to, once again, surround and guard him all the more.
It’s important to know that when you and I put our faith in Christ, when we seek His protection through His cross, when we throw ourselves on His mercy, in that moment, we will find extraordinary care, love, and joy in the shelter of His wings. We turn from our sin, we fight the good fight, yet we always trust our wonderful Savior to keep and guard us.
It was at Calvary when our Lord was pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5). It was on the cross where He absorbed the wrath of God. It was our Lord who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). It was our Lord who took on Himself all that we deserved and imputed His perfect life to us.
He is a glorious Savior and one who, as the apple of His Father’s eye, became one of us, so that we could live through Him (Hebrews 2:10, 17–18; 4:15).
If God keeps his people as the apple of his eye, why do Christians still suffer and even die at the hands of enemies?
When Jesus came to earth, he healed many people from many things. The people loved it and great crowds followed him, yet Jesus wasn't simply a great doctor. Jesus was revealing something to them and to us that he has power over life itself. Indeed, he is life. Eternal life. God's protection isn't simply to keep these earthly bodies standing, but to secure them eternally.
Jesus said not to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matthew 10:28). The point of being a Christian isn't that we won't suffer or die, but that we can suffer and die, because we have a savior who will keep us alive with him forever. So, we suffer and die.
Study Questions
QUESTION 01
What does being the apple of God’s eye say about how he values you?
QUESTION 02
Where do you most need the shelter of God’s wings right now?
QUESTION 03
How does the cross prove God’s protective love?
How To Cling Today
Cling to Christ today by resting in his love shown to you on the cross and know that through all your suffering God will be with you.
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