11 They have now compassed H5437 us in our steps: H838 they have set H7896 their eyes H5869 bowing down H5186 to the earth; H776
Then Saul H7586 took H3947 three H7969 thousand H505 chosen H977 men H376 out of all Israel, H3478 and went H3212 to seek H1245 David H1732 and his men H582 upon H6440 the rocks H6697 of the wild goats. H3277 And he came H935 to the sheepcotes H1448 H6629 by the way, H1870 where was a cave; H4631 and Saul H7586 went in H935 to cover H5526 his feet: H7272 and David H1732 and his men H582 remained H3427 in the sides H3411 of the cave. H4631
Then Saul H7586 arose, H6965 and went down H3381 to the wilderness H4057 of Ziph, H2128 having three H7969 thousand H505 chosen H977 men H376 of Israel H3478 with him, to seek H1245 David H1732 in the wilderness H4057 of Ziph. H2128 And Saul H7586 pitched H2583 in the hill H1389 of Hachilah, H2444 which is before H6440 Jeshimon, H3452 by the way. H1870 But David H1732 abode H3427 in the wilderness, H4057 and he saw H7200 that Saul H7586 came H935 after H310 him into the wilderness. H4057
He sitteth H3427 in the lurking places H3993 of the villages: H2691 in the secret places H4565 doth he murder H2026 the innocent: H5355 his eyes H5869 are privily set H6845 against the poor. H2489 He lieth in wait H693 secretly H4565 as a lion H738 in his den: H5520 he lieth in wait H693 to catch H2414 the poor: H6041 he doth catch H2414 the poor, H6041 when he draweth H4900 him into his net. H7568 He croucheth, H1794 and humbleth H7817 himself, that the poor H2426 H2489 may fall H5307 by his strong ones. H6099
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 17
Commentary on Psalms 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 17
Ps 17:1-15. This Psalm is termed a prayer because the language of petition is predominant. With a just cause, sincerely presented, the writer prays for a just decision and help and protection. Pleading former mercies as a ground of hope, he urges his prayer in view of the malice, pride, rapacity, and selfishness of his foes, whose character is contrasted with his pious devotion and delight in God's favor.
2. sentence—acquitting judgment.
from thy presence—Thy tribunal.
things that are equal—just and right, do Thou regard.
3. proved … visited … tried—His character was most rigidly tested, at all times, and by all methods, affliction and others (Ps 7:10).
purposed that, &c.—or, my mouth does not exceed my purpose; I am sincere.
4. works of men—sinful practices.
by the word of thy lips—as a guide (Ps 119:9, 11, 95).
destroyer—violent man.
5. May be read as an assertion "my steps or goings have held on to Thy paths."
6. wilt hear me—that is, graciously (Ps 3:4).
7. Show—set apart as special and eminent (Ex 8:18; Ps 4:3).
thy right hand—for Thy power.
8. Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in His sight, in De 32:10, 11; Mt 23:37.
9. compass me—(compare Ps 118:10-12).
10. enclosed … fat—are become proud in prosperity, and insolent to God (De 32:15; Ps 73:7).
11. They pursue us as beasts tracking their prey.
12. The figure made more special by that of a lion lurking.
13-15. disappoint—literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Ps 17:13), and "hand" (Ps 17:14). These denote God's power.
14. men … world—all men of this present time. They appear, by fulness of bread and large families, to be prosperous; but (Ps 17:15) he implies this will be transient, contrasting his better portion in a joyful union with God hereafter.