Psalm 27 12

Psalm 27:12 kjv

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

Psalm 27:12 nkjv

Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.

Psalm 27:12 niv

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

Psalm 27:12 esv

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.

Psalm 27:12 nlt

Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I've never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.

Psalm 27 verses

Psalm 27 12 Meaning

Psalm 27:12 is a fervent plea from the Psalmist to God, beseeching divine protection from malicious adversaries. It specifically highlights the immediate and grave threat posed by false accusers who invent deceitful testimony and plot destructive violence. The verse expresses the deep vulnerability and dire straits of one facing slanderous attacks and the potential for physical harm, earnestly requesting that God not abandon them to the triumphant desire of their foes.

Psalm 27 12 Context

Psalm 27 is a song of profound trust and unwavering faith in God amidst severe distress. The opening verses (1-6) resonate with triumphant confidence in God's saving presence and protection, declaring Him as light, salvation, and the strength of life, fearing no foe. This confidence leads the Psalmist to desire to dwell in God's house and behold His beauty, feeling secure even in the face of an encroaching army. The shift occurs from verse 7 onwards, where the Psalmist moves from declarative statements of trust to earnest petitions, acknowledging the reality of present and looming threats. Verse 12 serves as a direct, urgent cry for help within this section, specifically highlighting the nature of these adversaries: not merely physical attackers but those who use legal and social deception (false witnesses) and active, threatening harm (breathing out violence). It shows the vulnerability the Psalmist experiences, appealing to God not to abandon him to the merciless wishes of his enemies, despite the strong faith articulated earlier in the psalm. Historically, this aligns with King David's experiences, frequently besieged by enemies, betrayals (like Absalom's rebellion), and slanders (e.g., from Saul's loyalists or those seeking to undermine his rule), necessitating constant reliance on divine intervention.

Psalm 27 12 Word analysis

• Do not give me over (אַל-תִּתְּנֵנִי, al-titteneni):

  • al: a prohibitive particle, meaning "do not."
  • titteneni: derived from the root natan (נָתַן), meaning "to give," "to put," "to place," "to deliver up," "to permit."
  • Significance: This is an intense, urgent plea to God. It implores Him not to allow, permit, or deliver the Psalmist into the control, power, or possession of his enemies. It conveys a deep fear of abandonment and subjugation, acknowledging that only God's intervention can prevent this surrender.

• desire (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh):

  • Root: nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ) literally means "soul," "life-breath," "living being," or "self."
  • Significance: Here, nephesh refers to the innermost cravings, the appetite, the very core wish or complete gratification of the enemies. It's not just their superficial wish but their deep, consuming lust to harm or destroy the Psalmist. To "be given over to the desire of one's foes" means to be utterly consumed, destroyed, or fully dominated according to their deepest malicious intent.

• foes (צָרַי, tsarai):

  • Root: tsar (צָר), meaning "adversary," "enemy," "one who harasses/distresses."
  • Significance: These are not just casual opponents but those who cause distress, narrowness, or constraint. They actively seek to harm, confine, or put the Psalmist in a tight corner, implying oppressive and hostile intent.

• false witnesses (עֵדֵי שֶׁקֶר, edei sheqer):

  • edei: plural of ed (עֵד), "witness."
  • sheqer: "falsehood," "deception," "lies."
  • Significance: Directly refers to those who give perjured testimony, uttering untruths with malicious intent in a legal or public setting. This is a severe transgression of Mosaic Law (Exod 23:1; Deut 19:16-19), which demanded truthfulness and viewed false witness as a grave crime, especially in matters affecting life and justice. The mention highlights the treachery and moral corruption of the adversaries.

• rise against me (קָמוּ-בִי, qamu-bi):

  • qamu: past tense plural of qum (קוּם), "to rise up," "to stand."
  • bi: "against me" or "in me/with me" (indicating hostility).
  • Significance: Depicts an active, hostile uprising or formation against the Psalmist. It’s a deliberate, organized opposition, implying an aggressive and direct confrontation or plot. They are not passively hostile but actively asserting their malice.

• breathing out violence (יְפֵחַ חָמָס, yefeakh chamas):

  • yefeakh: participle from puach (פוּחַ), meaning "to breathe out," "to blow," "to puff," "to pant." Can also mean to "utter" or "declare."
  • chamas: "violence," "wrong," "cruelty," "injustice," "ruthlessness."
  • Significance: This vivid imagery suggests an aggressive, relentless, and passionate expression of destructive intent. It's more than just speaking violently; it implies an intense, fervent exhalation of cruel threats, harmful plots, or actual physical force. It portrays the enemies as consumed by a desire to inflict wrong, and their every word or intention is imbued with malevolent, harmful energy.

Psalm 27 12 Bonus section

The juxtaposition in Psalm 27 between soaring confidence (vv. 1-6) and urgent petition (vv. 7-12) suggests that deep trust in God does not negate the reality of present danger or the need for prayer. Rather, it is the foundation upon which such heartfelt petitions are made. The Psalmist does not merely resign himself to God's will, but actively calls upon God to intervene. The "desire of my foes" (nephesh) reflects a totalizing enmity – they want not just victory, but complete possession or destruction of the Psalmist's very being. This points to the spiritual nature of the conflict; it is not just against flesh and blood, but against malevolent spirits manifesting through human agents (cf. Eph 6:12). The language of "breathing out violence" has echoes in Job (e.g., Job 15:30), where similar terms are used for the wicked, emphasizing the internal corruption that erupts outwards in destructive acts or words. This verse is also a profound echo of the plight of many biblical figures and especially of Jesus, who faced an ultimate test from false witnesses and those breathing violence, demonstrating God's ultimate vindication of the innocent even through suffering.

Psalm 27 12 Commentary

Psalm 27:12 is a pivot in a psalm otherwise defined by profound confidence, revealing the deep, immediate pain of one besieged by malicious opposition. The verse identifies the dual nature of the threat: slander and violence. "False witnesses" represent an assault on reputation and justice, designed to condemn and undermine through deceitful testimony. This highlights the vulnerability of the innocent when truth is perverted in legal or social contexts. Coupled with this, the adversaries are "breathing out violence," indicating an imminent, passionate, and potentially physical threat. Their desire is not merely to defeat but to annihilate the Psalmist, embodying utter triumph and domination. The Psalmist's urgent cry, "Do not give me over," is thus a profound prayer for divine protection against both internal devastation by lies and external harm by cruel intent. It’s a plea to God not to withdraw His sustaining presence, acknowledging that without God's active intervention, the forces of injustice and cruelty will overwhelm. This verse underscores the pervasive presence of evil and the essential need for God's continuous deliverance in a world where truth is often assailed and the righteous suffer unjustly. It reminds believers to continually turn to the Lord for sanctuary and vindication against those who weaponize falsehood and perpetuate harm.