Psalms 17:9
Psalms 17:9 in Multiple Translations
from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.
From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.
Protect me from the attacks of the wicked who want to destroy me, from my enemies who surround me, intent on killing me.
From the wicked that oppresse mee, from mine enemies, which compasse me round about for my soule.
From the face of the wicked who spoiled me. Mine enemies in soul go round against me.
from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who encompass me,
There went up a smoke in his wrath: and a fire flamed from his face: coals were kindled by it.
Do not allow wicked people to attack me; my enemies surround me, wanting to kill me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 17:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 17:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִ/פְּנֵ֣י
רְ֭שָׁעִים
ז֣וּ
שַׁדּ֑וּ/נִי
אֹיְבַ֥/י
בְּ֝/נֶ֗פֶשׁ
יַקִּ֥יפוּ
עָלָֽ/י
מִ/פְּנֵ֣י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
ז֣וּ
zûw
H2098
this
Rel
שַׁדּ֑וּ/נִי
shâdad
H7703
to ruin
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
אֹיְבַ֥/י
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal | Suff
בְּ֝/נֶ֗פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
Prep | N-cs
יַקִּ֥יפוּ
nâqaph
H5362
to strike
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
עָלָֽ/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 17:9
מִ/פְּנֵ֣י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
ז֣וּ
zûw
H2098
"this"
Rel
Similar to H2097, this word is used to identify something, as in Exodus 32:1 where the people say 'this is your god'. It's a way of saying 'this' or 'that', often to point out a specific thing or person.
Definition: demons pron 1) this, such rel pron 2) (of) which, (of) whom
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: that, this, [idiom] wherein, which, whom. See also: Exodus 15:13; Psalms 32:8; Psalms 9:16.
שַׁדּ֑וּ/נִי
shâdad
H7703
"to ruin"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
To ruin or devastate is the meaning of this word, often used to describe the powerful and destructive actions of God or human enemies, as seen in the conquest of Canaan. It can also mean to be powerful or impregnable, as in the case of the strongholds of David. This concept is explored in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin, destroy, spoil 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to violently destroy, devastate, despoil, assail 1a2) devastator, despoiler (participle) (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be utterly ruined 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to assault 1c2) to devastate 1d) (Pual) to be devastated 1e) (Poel) to violently destroy 1f) (Hophal) to be devastated Also means: shud (שׁוּד "to waste" H7736)
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: dead, destroy(-er), oppress, robber, spoil(-er), [idiom] utterly, (lay) waste. See also: Judges 5:27; Jeremiah 25:36; Psalms 17:9.
אֹיְבַ֥/י
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
בְּ֝/נֶ֗פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
Prep | N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
יַקִּ֥יפוּ
nâqaph
H5362
"to strike"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
This word means to surround or go around something, like making a circle or enclosing an area. It can also imply a sense of violence or attack, like beating or knocking something down. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's presence surrounding his people.
Definition: 1) to strike, strike off 1a) (Piel) to strike off skin Aramaic equivalent: ne.qash (נְקַשׁ "to knock" H5368)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: compass (about, -ing), cut down, destroy, go round (about), inclose, round. See also: Leviticus 19:27; Job 19:6; Psalms 17:9.
עָלָֽ/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
Study Notes — Psalms 17:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 17:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 17:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 17:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 17:9
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 17:9
- Sermons on Psalms 17:9
Context — Hear My Righteous Plea
7Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.
8Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
9from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance. 11They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 35:4 | May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded. |
| 2 | Psalms 35:7 | For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. |
| 3 | Psalms 7:5 | then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 17:9 | And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 24:11 | See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. |
| 6 | Psalms 31:20 | You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues. |
| 7 | Psalms 35:12 | They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul. |
Psalms 17:9 Summary
This verse is talking about being protected from people who are trying to hurt us because of our faith. It's like having enemies who are surrounding us and trying to attack us. But as believers, we can trust in God's loving care and protection, just like a mother bird protects her babies under her wings. We can seek refuge in Him and trust that He will keep us safe, as promised in Psalms 91:4 and Deuteronomy 32:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be assailed by the wicked?
To be assailed by the wicked means to be violently attacked or opposed by those who reject God and His ways, as seen in Psalms 17:9 and also in Psalms 38:19 where David asks for deliverance from his enemies.
Who are our mortal enemies?
Our mortal enemies are those who oppose us because of our faith in God, as mentioned in Psalms 17:9, and can include both physical and spiritual enemies, as warned in Ephesians 6:12.
How can we be protected from our enemies?
We can be protected from our enemies by seeking refuge in God, as mentioned in Psalms 7:1, and by trusting in His loving devotion and salvation, as seen in Psalms 17:7-8.
What is the result of being surrounded by enemies?
Being surrounded by enemies can lead to feelings of fear and desperation, but as believers, we can trust in God's presence and protection, as promised in Psalms 23:4 and Psalms 138:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I feel assailed or attacked by the wicked in my own life, and how can I seek God's protection and refuge?
- How can I trust in God's loving devotion and salvation when I feel surrounded by enemies, and what does this look like in practical terms?
- What are some ways that I can 'hide in the shadow of God's wings' as mentioned in Psalms 17:8, and how can I cultivate a deeper sense of trust and security in Him?
- How can I balance the reality of having enemies with the promise of God's protection and care, and what does this mean for my daily life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 17:9
From the wicked that oppress me,.... Or "waste" or "destroy" (g); 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 17:9
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. From my deadly enemies - literally, 'my enemies in soul.' Compare Ps. 41:14 ,
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
From the wicked; or, because of the wicked. From my deadly enemies; Heb. from those who are mine enemies in, or for, or against my (which pronoun is easily supplied out of the foregoing word, where it is expressed) soul or life, i.e. whom nothing but my blood and life will satisfy. Who compass me about; which shows both their extreme malice and his great danger.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
Psalms 17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.Ver. 9. From the wicked that oppress me] Heb. that waste me, i. e. that cast me out into banishmeat, despoiled of all. This hard usage of his enemies drove David into God’ s blessed bosom; as children misused abroad run home to their parents. From my deadly enemies] Heb. my enemies against the soul, i. e. the life at least, if not the soul, which they would gladly destroy. Some malice is so mischievous, that it would ruin body and soul together; as that monster of Milan, the enemies of John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, whose bodies they delivered to the fire, and their souls to the devil. David elsewhere complaineth of his enemies, that they did Satanically hate him, Psalms 55:4. "Beware of men," saith our Saviour, Matthew 10:17, for one man is a devil to another.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
(9) Deadly.—Literally, with the soul, or life, or better, as in the Syriac, “against the life,” and so deadly. Others take it adverbially with the verb, “eagerly compass.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 17:9
Verse 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.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 17:9
9. that oppress me] R.V., that spoil me. Cp. Psalms 12:5. (R.V.). my deadly enemies] Nothing but his life will satisfy them. Cp. 1 Samuel 24:11. This is the sense, whether the exact meaning is enemies in soul, i.e. with murderous intent (Psalms 27:12; Psalms 41:2), or enemies against (my) soul.
Barnes' Notes on 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.
Sermons on Psalms 17:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Living That Grieves the Spirit by A.W. Tozer | James urges believers to experience deep sorrow and wretchedness over their sins, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and inner penitence rather than external ascetic pract |
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"The Suffering of Christ From John's Gospel" ch.17:1 by Charles Alexander | In this sermon on John 17 and 18, the preacher delves into the profound significance of Jesus' words and actions leading up to His crucifixion. Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals His |
|
(2 Samuel) a Tale of Two Houses by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of believers going above and beyond in their relationship with God. He encourages listeners to outdo one another in acts of lo |
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The Spoil of Battle (1 Chronicles 26:27) by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks preaches on how the House of the Lord is built from the spoils of battle, emphasizing that the Lord uses conflicts and struggles to construct His spiritual House. |
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The Fifth Commandment by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the broader implications of the Fifth Commandment, which calls for honoring not only our parents but all authorities established by God. He explains that this |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 184 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of being influenced by man rather than God. He highlights the vanity and emptiness of worldly pursuits and the need to be free to |
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Heaven: Its Hope by D.L. Moody | The preacher delves into the concept of hostility, describing it as a word spoken against or defiance against authority, often involving strife and enmity. The term 'antilogia' is |