This is a beautiful prayer for protection. (Psalm 17:8) It is a specific, meaningful, and bold prayer. No person will allow his/her eyes to be affected. The protection of the eyes becomes a priority. God protects his children as His priority. This metaphor is also used in other Bible passages. (Deuteronomy 32:10; Proverbs 7:2; Zechariah 2:8)
Guards and protection: Keeping the apple of the eye means to preserve or protect with multiple guards. If there is an attack towards the eyes, he would turn away, raise his hands to stop that attack, and repulse the attack. God protects His children, even by sending an army of angels in chariots of fire, as he did to Elisha. (II Kings 6:17)
Always safe: The eye is also kept safe and secure. Whether it is night or day, the eye has special protection. God protects His children from terrors or plagues in the night and flying arrows in the day. (Psalm 91:5)
Small things: The prayer also pleads for protection from the small things. Dust and small insects could affect the eyes. God protects His children who are submissive and obedient from the corruption of sin, the world, and flesh.
Sensitive and tender: Eyes should always be sensitive and tender. God makes His children alert to sin, sensitive to the needs of others, and tender and kind-hearted to people of God.
Unobstructed: It means to have clear vision and unobstructed vision. When vision is obstructed, there is neither purpose nor meaning. God’s people are given Godly vision, burden, and assignments in His Kingdom.
Beautiful: To keep as the apple of the eye means to keep it beautiful. God keeps His children holy, righteous, and untainted in the world. Disciples are the light of the world, salt of the earth, and witnesses to the world like a city on a hill. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Beneficial: Eyes are not just for ornamental purposes. The eyes are beneficial. God makes His people useful instruments of righteousness and a blessing to many.
Do I realise that God keeps me like the apple of His eye?