Psalms 17:9-15

9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who 1surround me.
10 2They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they 3speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our 4steps; they set their eyes to 5cast us to the ground.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion 6lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from 7men of the world whose 8portion is in this life.[a] You fill their womb with treasure;[b] they are satisfied with 9children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I shall 10behold your face in righteousness; when I 11awake, I shall be 12satisfied with your likeness.

Psalms 17:9-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 17

\\<>\\. This prayer was put up by David either in his own person, on his own account, praying to God for the vindication of his cause, and for salvation and deliverance from his enemies; or in the person of the Messiah, whose type he was, and of the whole church, so Jerom of old interpreted it; and the title of it in the Arabic version is, ``a prayer in the person of a perfect man, and of Christ himself, and of everyone that is redeemed by him;'' in which preservation and protection are prayed for, and hope of eternal life is expressed. It was written, according to Theodoret, when David suffered persecution from Saul.

Cross References 12

  • 1. [1 Samuel 23:26]
  • 2. [Psalms 119:70]
  • 3. Psalms 31:18; 1 Samuel 2:3
  • 4. [Psalms 89:51]
  • 5. Psalms 62:4
  • 6. [Psalms 10:8, 9]
  • 7. [Psalms 10:18; Luke 16:8; Luke 20:34]
  • 8. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16; Luke 16:25
  • 9. [Job 21:11]
  • 10. Job 33:26; 1 John 3:2; [Psalms 11:7]
  • 11. Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2
  • 12. [Psalms 16:11]

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or from men whose portion in life is of the world
  • [b]. Or As for your treasured ones, you fill their womb
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.