Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right. If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. (Psalm 17:1-9, NRSV)
The apple of my eye…
The ‘apple of your eye’ is the iris or center of the eye.
If someone were to touch the apple of your eye it would be very painful and so it is protected by the eyelid.
The biblical imagery is that we are the apple of his eye and God is the eyelid who protects us.
Shakespeare also used the term with this meaning in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to again show something as most precious –
Flower of this purple dye,
Hit with Cupid’s archery,
Sink in apple of his eye
Modern usage of this idiom usually refers to something that is especially beloved. (Taken from wiki.answers.com)
God is our protector and in Him we can find shelter. We are the image that is reflected back in the apple of His eye, as He is watching over us. This does not mean that bad things will not happen, but He is there to protect us and walk with us through them.
aSacredRebel 