Psalm 17:12 kjv
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Psalm 17:12 nkjv
As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
Psalm 17:12 niv
They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
Psalm 17:12 esv
He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.
Psalm 17:12 nlt
They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart ?
like young lions hiding in ambush.
Psalm 17 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 7:2 | lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. | Enemies as tearing lions. |
| Psa 10:9 | He lurks in ambush like a lion in his lair... to drag the helpless into his net. | Wicked like lions in ambush. |
| Psa 22:13 | they open their mouths wide against me, like a ravening and roaring lion. | Enemies with lion-like aggression. |
| Psa 57:4 | My soul is among lions; I lie among those who devour men... whose teeth are spears and arrows. | Surrounded by deadly, lion-like adversaries. |
| Jer 5:6 | Therefore a lion from the forest shall strike them down; a wolf from the desert shall devastate them. | Lion as a destructive force (of judgment). |
| Ezek 22:25 | Her princes in her midst are like roaring lions tearing the prey. | Rulers as oppressive, predatory lions. |
| Zeph 3:3 | Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves. | Corrupt leaders as predatory animals. |
| Psa 10:8 | He sits in ambush in the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent. | Enemies hiding to attack innocents. |
| Psa 64:4 | they shoot from ambush at the blameless; they shoot him suddenly and without fear. | Surprise attacks from hidden places. |
| Lam 3:10 | He is to me like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding. | God (in judgment) or foe hidden and deadly. |
| Hos 7:12 | When they go, I will spread my net over them... I will discipline them. | Divine ambush/entrapment for disobedient. |
| Prov 28:15 | A wicked ruler is a roaring lion or a charging bear to his people. | Wicked rulers compared to dangerous beasts. |
| Nah 2:12 | The lion tore enough for his cubs and strangled prey for his lionesses. | Depiction of destructive, predatory power. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. | Satan as a spiritual, predatory lion. |
| Psa 3:7 | Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek... break the teeth of the wicked. | Plea for God to overcome fierce enemies. |
| Psa 91:13 | You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. | Deliverance from various predatory threats. |
| Dan 6:22 | My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths... because I was found innocent before him. | God's protective power over lions/enemies. |
| 2 Tim 4:17 | But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed... so I was rescued from the lion's mouth. | Paul's deliverance from danger (lion-like). |
| Prov 19:12 | A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion... | Lion's roar as metaphor for authority/danger. |
| Isa 38:13 | I calm my soul until morning; like a lion he breaks all my bones... | Intense suffering portrayed as a lion's attack. |
| Mic 5:8 | ...the remnant of Jacob... shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion. | Righteous remnant as a powerful lion. |
| Rev 5:5 | Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered... | Jesus Christ as the triumphant Lion. |
Psalm 17 verses
Psalm 17 12 Meaning
Psalm 17:12 vividly portrays the psalmist's adversaries as fierce and dangerous predators. The imagery depicts an enemy that is not only powerful and aggressive, but also strategic and deceptive, waiting to strike with full destructive intent. They are driven by an insatiable desire to overwhelm and dismantle their prey, leaving no hope of escape once caught.
Psalm 17 12 Context
Psalm 17 is a fervent prayer of King David, an appeal for divine justice and protection against wicked and malicious enemies who seek his downfall. Throughout the psalm, David maintains his integrity before God, proclaiming his innocence and reliance on the Lord's righteousness. Verse 12 specifically describes the character and intent of these adversaries, intensifying David's plea by illustrating their predatory nature. They are not merely opposing forces but insidious threats designed to destroy. This vivid portrayal contrasts sharply with David's posture of humble dependence on God's unwavering care. Historically, David faced numerous real-life threats from adversaries like Saul, the Philistines, and various internal rebellions, many of whom exhibited such predatory behaviors.
Psalm 17 12 Word analysis
- He: Refers to the "wicked men" (Psa 17:9) and "enemies" (Psa 17:11) mentioned earlier in the psalm. This collective or singular adversary represents a formidable and malevolent human foe, or potentially even demonic forces.
- is like a lion: (כאריה, k'aryeh). The Hebrew word אריה (aryeh) commonly denotes a full-grown lion, symbolizing immense strength, ferocity, and destructive power. This simile immediately conveys the terrifying and overwhelming nature of the enemy. In the ancient Near East, lions were a very real and fearsome threat, making the comparison deeply impactful.
- eager to tear: (יכסוף לטרוף, yik'sof litrof).
- eager (יכסוף, yik'sof): From the root כסף (kasaph), meaning to long, crave, or desire intensely. It speaks of a consuming passion or ambition. Here, it underscores the enemies' strong, malevolent will to destroy.
- to tear (לטרוף, litrof): From the root טרף (taraph), meaning to rend, tear to pieces, or devour prey. This is an active, violent act of dismemberment or consumption, leaving no part whole. The phrase conveys an unrestrained, hungry, and savage intent to annihilate.
- and like a young lion: (וככפיר, v'k'khaphir). The Hebrew word כפיר (k'phir) often refers to a young, strong, and highly agile lion, typically in its most active hunting phase. While not yet as large as a full-grown lion, the young lion is often considered more cunning and dangerous due to its swiftness and focused predatory skill, making it perhaps an even more precise image of aggressive, active malevolence.
- crouching in ambush: (יושב בסתרים, yoshev ba'starm).
- crouching/sitting (יושב, yoshev): Implies patience and a settled position, not rushing.
- in ambush/secret places (בסתרים, ba'starm): From the root סתר (satar), meaning to hide, conceal, or be secret. This signifies a hidden, deceptive strategy. The enemy is not confronting openly but waiting silently, patiently, and secretly for the opportune moment to strike without warning, emphasizing their treachery and a sudden, decisive attack. This predatory behavior includes calculation and patience, making them exceptionally dangerous.
Psalm 17 12 Bonus section
The powerful imagery of Psalm 17:12 extends beyond literal enemies, finding profound resonance in the New Testament's description of the devil as a "roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8). This highlights the spiritual dimension of conflict, where evil forces act with predatory intent, patiently lying in wait for an opportune moment to deceive and destroy. Furthermore, this verse underscores the inherent contrast between humanity's fallen, animalistic nature when given over to evil, and the righteous, divine nature that God calls believers to embody. It's a reminder that truly wicked intentions manifest in destructive ways, making trust in God's protective hand not just a choice, but a desperate necessity for those who face such dangers.
Psalm 17 12 Commentary
Psalm 17:12 functions as a stark and urgent cry for deliverance, rooted in the psalmist's understanding of his enemies' deadly nature. The double comparison to a lion—first as eagerly tearing and then as a young lion crouching in ambush—paints a terrifying picture of a foe characterized by both raw ferocity and insidious cunning. This is not a direct confrontation; rather, it's an insidious threat that lurks, waits, and then strikes with overwhelming force. The enemy is depicted as being entirely consumed by a predatory drive, viewing the psalmist as mere prey to be violently consumed. This serves to amplify the desperation of the psalmist's plea, emphasizing that his only hope is in divine intervention against such overwhelming and malicious forces. This portrayal of an enemy contrasts the helplessness of the prey with the absolute power of God, to whom the psalmist looks for safety and rescue.