Psalm 17:4

4 As for the works of men, by the words of thy lips I have guarded myself from hard ways.

Psalm 17:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 17:4

Concerning the works of men
Of wicked men, as to what respects and concerns them, or in the midst of them; in the midst of a wicked generation of men, and their filthy conversation; who appear to be so,

by the word of thy lips;
the law of God, the Scriptures of truth, the rule and standard of faith and practice, which show what works are good and what are not; by the use, help, and benefit of this;

I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer;
such is the devil, who was a murderer from the beginning; antichrist, whose name is Abaddon and Apollyon, both which signify a destroyer; false teachers, and all wicked men: the "paths" of such are their wicked principles and practices, their damnable errors and heresies, their sins and lusts, which make up the broad road that leads to destruction: these the psalmist "kept" or "observed" ^F1, for the words "me" and "from" are not in the original text; and the sense is, that he took notice of them, and avoided them, and, as a faithful prince and magistrate, forbad his subjects walking in them, and restrained them from them, making the word of God the rule of his conduct.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F1 (ytrmv) "custodivi", Pagninus, Montanus; "observavi", Musculus, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus; so Ainsworth; "vel prohibui", Muis.

Psalm 17:4 In-Context

2 Let my judgment come forth from thy presence; let mine eyes behold righteousness.

3 Thou has proved mine heart; thou hast visited me by night; thou hast tried me as with fire, and unrighteousness has not been found in me: I am purposed that my mouth shall not speak amiss.

4 As for the works of men, by the words of thy lips I have guarded myself from hard ways.

5 Direct my steps in thy paths, that my steps slip not.

6 I have cried, for thou heardest me, O God: incline thine ear to me, and hearken to my words.