Bible Commentary

Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword: 13. Arise, O Lord (Psa 3:7), confront him, meet him face to face as he prepares to spring (or, as R.V. marg., forestall him), make him bow down, crouching in abject submission (Psa 18:39). The same word … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:13”

Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. 12. Like as a lion &c.] Lit., He is like a lion that is greedy to raven. (Psa 22:13). One of the pursuers (Saul, if the singer is David) is conspicuous for ferocity and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:12”

They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; 11. It has come to this that they beset the Psalmist and his adherents at every step. See 1Sa 23:26. They have set &c.] R.V., They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth. They … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:11”

They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. 10. Prosperity has resulted in obtuse self-complacency and contemptuous arrogance. Cp. Psa 73:7-8; Job 15:27. The right rendering of 10 a is however probably (cp. R.V. marg.) Their heart (lit. midriff) have they shut up. They have closed it against every influence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:10”

From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about. 9. that oppress me ] R.V., that spoil me. Cp. Psa 12:5. (R.V.). my deadly enemies ] Nothing but his life will satisfy them. Cp. 1Sa 24:11. This is the sense, whether the exact meaning is enemies in soul, i.e. with … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:9”

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 8. Keep me &c.] Or, Preserve me (the same word as in Psa 16:1) as the apple or pupil of the eye, an emblem of that which is tenderest and dearest, and therefore guarded with the most jealous care. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:8”

Show thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them]. 7. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness ] Lit., Make marvellous thy lovingkindnesses: Vulg. mirifica misericordias tuas. Cp. Psa 31:21, and note on Psa 9:1. The word implies a signal intervention … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:7”

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 6. I have called upon thee ] I is emphatic. Being such an one as I am, I have called upon Thee, in full confidence that Thou wilt answer me. O God ] El, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:6”

Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not. 5. My steps have held fast to thy tracks, My feet have not slipped. The A.V. is grammatically untenable. He describes his conduct positively. Paths, a different word from that in Psa 17:4, denotes the beaten tracks made by wheeled vehicles. Slipped (the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:5”

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer. 4. As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have shunned the paths of the violent. In regard to his behaviour as a man among men, he has obeyed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 17:4”