Psalm 17:9 kjv
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
Psalm 17:9 nkjv
From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17:9 niv
from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17:9 esv
from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17:9 nlt
Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
from murderous enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 3:7 | Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God... thou hast smitten all mine enemies... | God's active role in saving from enemies. |
| Ps 18:4-5 | The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed. | Surrounded by mortal peril and destructive forces. |
| Ps 22:12-13 | Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. | Encirclement by powerful and menacing foes. |
| Ps 27:1-3 | The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | Trust in God despite the threat of surrounding adversaries. |
| Ps 35:1-3 | Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me... | Prayer for God to engage in battle on behalf of the righteous. |
| Ps 59:1-2 | Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up. | Plea for rescue from violent, aggressive enemies. |
| Ps 61:3 | For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. | God as a protective refuge against enemy attacks. |
| Ps 91:3-4 | For he will deliver you from the snare... under his wings you will find refuge. | God's promised protection and sheltering presence. |
| Ps 140:1-2 | Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers; preserve me from violent men. | Prayer against those who plot harm and act violently. |
| Ps 142:6 | ...for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. | Acknowledges weakness against overwhelmingly powerful persecutors. |
| 2 Sam 22:3-4 | My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge... my stronghold... | God as the ultimate protection from deadly threats. |
| Lam 3:7-9 | He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy. | Feeling completely trapped and confined by suffering and enemies. |
| Prov 4:16-17 | For they cannot sleep unless they do evil... | Describes the ceaseless, wicked nature of relentless enemies. |
| Matt 5:10-12 | Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake... | Persecution is a recognized reality for the righteous. |
| John 15:18-20 | If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. | Warning that followers of Christ will face hatred. |
| Rom 8:31 | What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's ultimate support renders enemies powerless. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around... | Spiritual enemy that seeks to devour believers. |
| Eph 6:11-12 | Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. | Spiritual warfare against unseen hostile forces. |
| Heb 4:12 | ...penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit... | The comprehensive nature of the Hebrew "nefeš" (soul/life). |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | The certainty of persecution for godly living. |
| Rev 12:13 | And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman. | The constant persecution of God's people by spiritual enemies. |
| Luke 19:43 | The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you... | Foreshadowing of being surrounded by enemies (literal and spiritual). |
| Mic 7:6-7 | For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother... but as for me, I look to the Lord. | Betrayal and enmity from even close relations, leading to trust in God. |
Psalm 17 verses
Psalm 17 9 Meaning
Psalm 17:9 is a fervent prayer from David, pleading for God's divine protection from ruthless adversaries. It articulates a dire situation where David is not merely inconvenienced but is under direct and mortal threat from those who actively seek his life and completely encompass him. He cries out for deliverance from their malicious oppression, acknowledging their relentless pursuit and the totality of their hostile intentions.
Psalm 17 9 Context
Psalm 17 is a prayer of lament and appeal for justice, often attributed to David. It opens with an urgent plea for God to hear his righteous cause (v. 1-2). David confidently asserts his blameless walk and integrity before the Lord (v. 3-5), setting himself apart from his adversaries. He appeals to God's steadfast love and protection (v. 6-7), describing his enemies in verse 9 as those who relentlessly pursue and seek his very life. The psalm contrasts the character and fate of the righteous (who will see God's face in righteousness, v. 15) with the wicked, whose reward is earthly (v. 14). This verse thus sits within a larger appeal for divine vindication against intensely hostile and ungodly opponents.
Psalm 17 9 Word analysis
- From the wicked (מֵרְשָׁעִים - merâshāʿîm): From the resha'im, plural of rasha', meaning unrighteous, criminal, guilty, impious. This describes not just general antagonists but those who are morally corrupt, opposing God's law and will. They operate outside the sphere of divine justice and moral uprightness.
- who oppress me (זוּ יְרִיבוּנִי - zu yərîḇūyī): Literally "who contend with me," "who strive against me," "who pick a quarrel with me," or "who accuse me." The root riv often implies a legal dispute or forceful contention, suggesting these enemies are actively pursuing conflict and trying to gain advantage over the psalmist through aggressive and hostile means. It's not passive malice but active, oppressive contention.
- from my deadly enemies (מֵאֹיְבַי בְּנֶפֶשׁ - mêʾôyḇay bənefeš): This phrase is profoundly significant. ʾôyḇay (enemies) combined with bənefeš ("against the soul/life" or "by soul/life"). The term nefeš (נֶפֶשׁ) in Hebrew encompasses much more than just the physical breath; it refers to the entire living being, the essence, the soul, the person's very life force. Thus, "deadly enemies" accurately translates the idea of enemies whose intent is to destroy the psalmist's life, whether physically or through ruin of reputation and existence. Their malice is mortal in scope.
- who surround me (יַקִּיפוּנִי - yaqqîfūyī): The root naqaf (נָקַף) means to surround, encompass, cut off, enclose. This conveys the overwhelming and inescapable nature of the threat. The psalmist feels hemmed in, besieged, with no escape route. The danger is not distant or localized but pervasive and immediate, pressing in from all sides. This paints a picture of being trapped by hostile forces.
Psalm 17 9 Bonus section
The deliberate contrast drawn in Psalm 17 between the psalmist's integrity (v. 3-5) and the wicked nature of his enemies (v. 9-12) emphasizes that the conflict is not merely personal but a clash of spiritual alignments. David's prayer is not solely for physical safety, but also for vindication of his righteousness by a just God against those who unjustly oppress him. The phrase "deadly enemies" points to a profound spiritual reality: the opposition is against his "nefeš," which encompasses the will, affections, and conscience—the very essence of his relationship with God. This aligns with the New Testament understanding of spiritual warfare where the adversary seeks to kill, steal, and destroy the believer's spiritual life (Jn 10:10; 1 Pet 5:8). The imagery of being "surrounded" is used in the Bible not only for physical siege but also for overwhelming spiritual distress or being cornered by ungodly influences, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the peril and the need for comprehensive divine shelter.
Psalm 17 9 Commentary
Psalm 17:9 is a raw cry for divine intervention in the face of overwhelming and life-threatening hostility. David perceives his adversaries not merely as inconveniences but as truly wicked individuals, driven by malice and actively seeking to dismantle his very existence, soul, and life. The intensity of their pursuit is underscored by the image of being completely surrounded, suggesting a feeling of entrapment and utter helplessness apart from God. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's understanding that the threat is existential, prompting a desperate appeal to the Lord, his only refuge. It underscores a fundamental theme throughout the Psalms: the righteous often face relentless opposition from the unrighteous, and their sole recourse and hope for survival and vindication lie in God's mighty hand.