Psalm 17:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 17:8-15

We may observe, in these verses, I. What David prays for. Being compassed about with enemies that sought his life, he prays to God to preserve him safely through all their attempts against him, to the crown to which he was anointed. This prayer is both a prediction of the preservation of Christ through all the hardships and difficulties of his humiliation, to the glories and joys of his exalted state, and a pattern to Christians to commit the keeping of their souls to God, trusting him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 17:9

From the wicked that oppress me ,.... Or "waste" or "destroy" F7 זו שדוני "quid vastant", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "qui vastaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Michaelis. ; as wild beasts do a field or vineyard when they get into it; and such havoc do persecutors and false teachers make of the church and people of God, when they are suffered to get in among them, Psalm 80:13 ; wherefore from such wicked and unreasonable men protection is desired, 2... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 17:9

From my deadly enemies, who compass me about - This is a metaphor taken from huntsmen, who spread themselves around a large track of forest, driving in the deer from every part of the circumference, till they are forced into the nets or traps which they have set for them in some particular narrow passage. The metaphor is carried on in the following verses. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 17:9

Verse 9 9.From the face of the ungodly. The Psalmist, by again accusing his enemies, intends to set forth his own innocence, as an argument for his obtaining the favor of God. At the same time, he complains of their cruelty, that God may be the more inclined to aid him. First, he says that they burn with an enraged desire to waste and to destroy him; secondly, he adds, that they besiege him in his soul, by which he means, that they would never rest satisfied until they had accomplished his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 17:1-15

The metrical arrangement is somewhat doubtful. Perhaps the best division is that of Dr. Kay, who makes the poem one of four stanzas—the first of five verses ( Psalms 17:1-5 ); the second of four ( Psalms 17:6-9 ); the third of three ( Psalms 17:10-12 ); and the fourth also of three ( Psalms 17:13-15 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 17:1-15

The saint's appeal from the wrongs of earth to the Righteous One on the throne. The title of our homily on this psalm is in some respects similar to that on the seventh psalm. There, however, the psalm is an appeal to the great Vindicator of one unjustly accused; here, it is the appeal of one beset with persecutors to the great Judge of all. Whenever or by whomsoever the words of this psalm were penned, it may not be easy to say. The probability is that it is one of David's. £ If so,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 17:1-15

The righteousness of God's dealing. It is a common saying that "the pillow is a good counsellor;" and there is much truth in this. In the quietness and retirement of night we are able to collect our thoughts and to commune with our own hearts, as to the past, the present, and the future. And if we do this in the spirit of the psalmist, realizing God's presence and relying upon him for counsel and guidance, it will be well. Whether this psalm was written at night or not, we cannot tell; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 17:6-15

Confidence in God. From the first to the fifth verse the prayer bases his confidence in God on four pleas. 1 . He prays for the righteous cause. 2 . In a righteous spirit. 3 . On the ground of a righteous character. 4 . On the ground of righteous conduct. Now we come to other grounds upon which he urges God to save him. I. THE COMPASSION OF GOD for THOSE WHO URGENTLY CRY TO HIM . ( Psalms 17:6 , Psalms 17:7 .) He calls, because God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 17:9

From the wicked that oppress me ; or, lay me waste — treat me as invaders treat an enemy's territory (see Isaiah 15:1 ). From my deadly enemies, who compass me about; literally, my enemies in soul — those who in heart and mind are wholly set against me. When hunted by Saul upon the mountains, David was often "compassed about" with foes ( 1 Samuel 23:14 , 1 Samuel 23:15 , 1 Samuel 23:26 ; 1 Samuel 26:20 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 17:9

From the wicked that oppress me - Margin, “That waste me.” The margin expresses the sense of the Hebrew. The idea is that of being wasted, desolated, destroyed, as a city or country is by the ravages of war. The psalmist compares himself in his troubles with such a city or country. The “effect” of the persecutions which he had endured had been like cities and lands thus laid waste by fire and sword.From my deadly enemies - Margin, “My enemies against the soul.” The literal idea is, “enemies... read more

Group of Brands