Psalms 17:12

12 They are like a lion eager to rip its prey; they are like a strong young lion lying in wait.

Psalms 17:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 17:12

Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey
Or "the likeness of him is as a lion" ^F9; meaning Saul, as Kimchi interprets it; or everyone of them that compassed them about, as Aben Ezra observes; sometimes wicked and persecuting princes are compared to lions, for their strength and cruelty; see ( Proverbs 28:15 ) ( 2 Timothy 4:17 ) ; so the devil is called a roaring lion, ( 1 Peter 5:8 ) ; and the antichristian beast is said to have the mouth of a lion, ( Revelation 13:2 ) ;

and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places;
to leap upon its prey, and seize it at once, as it has opportunity; this denotes the secret and insidious method which the enemies of Christ take to do mischief; see ( Psalms 10:9 Psalms 10:10 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (hyrak wnwymd) "similitudo ejus, vel cujusque est tanquam leonis", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius; so Musculus, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 17:12 In-Context

10 They have no pity; their mouths speak arrogantly.

11 They track me down— suddenly, they surround me! They make their plans to put me in the dirt.

12 They are like a lion eager to rip its prey; they are like a strong young lion lying in wait.

13 Get up, LORD! Confront them! Bring them down! Rescue my life from the wicked— use your sword!

14 Rescue me from these people— use your own hands, LORD! Rescue me from these people whose only possession is their fleeting life. But fill the stomachs of your cherished ones; let their children be filled full so that they have leftovers enough for their babies.