4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me,{TR and NU read "Go away" instead of "Get behind me"} Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'"
They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death.
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men?
Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"
For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the men who speak perverse things; Who forsake the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, And delight in the perverseness of evil; Who are crooked in their ways, And wayward in their paths:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you.
> The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none who does good. Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, To see if there were any who did understand, Who did seek after God. They have all gone aside. They have together become corrupt. There is none who does good, no, not one.
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.