# Is “The apple of my eye” in the Bible?

> Yes. “The apple of my eye” comes from the Bible, from Psalm 17:8.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-apple-of-my-eye
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

David prays it, asking God to guard him.

## The verse

> Guard me like the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
>
> — [Psalm 17:8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/17#8) (Lumin Translation)

The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse.

## What it means there

The “apple” is the pupil, the part of the eye you protect without thinking. To be the apple of God’s eye is to be guarded that closely.

## Also in the Bible

> He found him in a desert land, in a barren and howling wilderness. He surrounded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.
>
> — [Deuteronomy 32:10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/deuteronomy/32#10) (Lumin Translation)

> For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: After the glory, he sent me to the nations that plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.
>
> — [Zechariah 2:8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/2#8) (Lumin Translation)

> Keep my commands and live; guard my teaching like the pupil of your eye.
>
> — [Proverbs 7:2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/7#2) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “The apple of my eye” in the Bible?

Yes. “The apple of my eye” comes from the Bible, from Psalm 17:8. The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse. David prays it, asking God to guard him.

### Where in the Bible is “The apple of my eye”?

In Psalm 17:8, and also Deuteronomy 32:10, Zechariah 2:8 and Proverbs 7:2. In the Lumin Translation, Psalm 17:8 reads: “Guard me like the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings”

### Who said “The apple of my eye”?

David prays it, asking God to guard him.

### What does “The apple of my eye” mean in the Bible?

The “apple” is the pupil, the part of the eye you protect without thinking. To be the apple of God’s eye is to be guarded that closely.

## More

- [Is “By the skin of my teeth” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/by-the-skin-of-my-teeth.md)
- [Is “The eye is the lamp of the body” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-eye-is-the-lamp-of-the-body.md)
- [Is “Fire and brimstone” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/fire-and-brimstone.md)
- [Is “Honor your father and your mother” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/honor-your-father-and-your-mother.md)
- [Is “Judge not, lest you be judged” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/judge-not-lest-you-be-judged.md)
- [Is “Like a lamb to the slaughter” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/like-a-lamb-to-the-slaughter.md)
- [Is “A man after God’s own heart” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/a-man-after-gods-own-heart.md)
- [Is “O ye of little faith” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/o-ye-of-little-faith.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)