In Psalms, chapter seventeen, verse eight, the psalmist uses two figures that recall God’s love and care for His faithful people. “The apple of the eye ” is like a pupil expressing something greatly valued and dear. “The shadow of thy wings” is like a hen protecting her young with her wings, which expresses attention, as in chapter thirty-six, verse seven, chapter fifty-seven, verse one, chapter sixty-one, verse four, and chapter sixty-three, verse seven. Christ expresses His love for Israel with this theme verse, as in Matthew twenty-three, verse thirty-seven.
All believers should pray that God will reach out to protect in times of danger just like someone who distinctively reacts to guard the pupil of the eye against harm, as in Deuteronomy thirty-two, verse ten, Proverbs seven, verse two, and Zechariah two, verse eight and that the heavenly Father will always be ready to hide and shield us as a mother hen covers her chicks, as in chapter ninety-one, verse four, and Matthew twenty-three, verse thirty-seven.
“Keep Me as the Apple of the Eye” theme verse is under the Deliverance from the Wicked section and describes protecting from those surrounding us. The following verse compliments the subject matter in verse nine of chapter seventeen, “From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.”
Today, believers who have received salvation have people they encounter during their day who do not serve God but other sources or deities. These people have other spirits who oppose the Almighty One within them that operate on behalf of the adversary at any time. Therefore, the godly ones who are very close to the Lord in their relationship with Him will get continual guidance and protection from those who intend to do evil instead of good. The godly ones deep in God and have the Holy Spirit within them will get a warning from those around them who have an evil motive and are planning wrongdoing.