Psalms 86:14

14 God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, And they don't hold regard for you before them.

Psalms 86:14 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 86:14

O God, the proud are risen against me
As all men naturally are, and as all are without the grace of God; and because they are, they deal in proud wrath: as, through the pride of their heart, they seek not after God; so, through the same, they persecute his people, treating them with the utmost contempt, and as the offscouring of all things. Jarchi interprets this particularly of Doeg and Ahithophel:

and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul;
or "terrible" F19 ones, who breathed out nothing but cruelty, threatenings, and slaughter; and who were many, and got together in bodies, and entered into combinations and conspiracies; and whom nothing would satisfy but the taking away of his life, which they sought after; see ( Psalms 22:12-16 )

and have not set thee before them;
they did not consider the omniscience of God, that he knew and took notice of all they did; nor his omnipresence, that he was everywhere, and there was no fleeing from him; nor his omnipotence, who was able to crush them to pieces; nor his justice, which will render tribulation to them that trouble his; nor his goodness, which should lead to repentance; nor had they any fear of him, nor respect to his glory: in short, they were like the unjust judge, who neither feared God nor regarded men, ( Luke 18:4 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Myuyre) "terribilium", Montanus; so some in Vatablus, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 86:14 In-Context

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forevermore.
13 For your lovingkindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest She'ol.
14 God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, And they don't hold regard for you before them.
15 But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your handmaid.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.