Psalms 17:8-15

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10 They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12 They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up, LORD, confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked.

14 By your hand save me from such people, LORD, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Psalms 17:8-15 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

• 1. S Numbers 6:24
• 2. S Deuteronomy 32:10; Proverbs 7:2
• 3. Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20; Psalms 32:7
• 4. Ruth 2:12; Psalms 36:7; Psalms 63:7; Isaiah 34:15
• 5. Psalms 31:20; Psalms 109:3
• 6. Psalms 73:7; Psalms 119:70; Isaiah 6:10
• 7. S 1 Samuel 2:3
• 8. Psalms 37:14; Psalms 88:17
• 9. Psalms 7:2; Psalms 10:9; Jeremiah 5:6; Jeremiah 12:8; Lamentations 3:10
• 10. S Genesis 49:9
• 11. S Numbers 10:35
• 12. Psalms 7:12; Psalms 22:20; Psalms 35:8; Psalms 55:23; Psalms 73:18
• 13. Luke 16:8
• 14. Psalms 49:17; Luke 16:25
• 15. Isaiah 2:7; Isaiah 57:17; Psalms 73:3-7
• 16. S Psalms 3:5
• 17. S Numbers 12:8; Psalms 4:6-7; Psalms 16:11; S Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:2