Psalms 17:9-15

9 from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They are closed in with their own fat; with their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes upon throwing us down to the earth

12 like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, with thy sword;

14 from men, with thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, who have their portion in this life and whose belly thou dost fill with thy provision: they satisfy their sons and leave the rest to their family.

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy 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.