Psalms 17:12

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

Psalms 17:12 in Other Translations

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

12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.

12 They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart— like young lions hiding in ambush.

12 Lions ready to rip me apart, young lions poised to pounce.

12 They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.

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 ) .

---

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 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.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 7:2; Psalms 10:9; Jeremiah 5:6; Jeremiah 12:8; Lamentations 3:10
• 2. S Genesis 49:9