Deep Dive

Psalms 17:12

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.

Deep dive References (7)

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 12

David being in great distress and danger by the malice of his enemies, does, in this psalm, by prayer address himself to God, his tried refuge, and seeks shelter in him. I. He appeals to God concerning his integrity (Psa 17:1-4). II. He prays to God still to be upheld in his integrity and preserved from the malice of his enemies (Psa 17:5-8, Psa 17:13). III. He gives a character of his enemies, using that as a plea with God for his preservation (Psa 17:9-12, Psa 17:14). IV. He comforts himself with the hopes of his future happiness (Psa 17:15). Some make him, in this, a type of Christ, who was perfectly innocent, and yet was hated and persecuted, but, like David, committed himself and his cause to him that judgeth righteously. A prayer of David.

Open source ↗

Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 12

דִּמְיוֹן (dimyôwn, H1825) — resemblance אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion כָּסַף (kâçaph, H3700) — properly, to become pale, i.e. (by implication) to pine after; also to fear טָרַף (ṭâraph, H2963) — to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels) כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מִסְתָּר (miçtâr, H4565) — properly, a concealer, i.e. a covert

Open source ↗

Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 7:2rank 4

or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

Psalms 10:9rank 3

He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.

I Peter 5:8rank 3

Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Psalms 22:13rank 2

They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul.

II Timothy 4:17rank 2

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.

Commentaries

Original language

Cross-references

Your reflection