Deep Dive

Psalms 17:4

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As for the deeds of men— by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 4

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.

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Original language

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

Strong's Concordancev. 4

פְּעֻלָּה (pᵉʻullâh, H6468) — (abstractly) work אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… אֹרַח (ʼôrach, H734) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts, H6530) — violent, i.e. a tyrant

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Cross-references

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

I Peter 5:8rank 5

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

I Corinthians 3:3rank 5

for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

Revelation of John 12:11rank 4

They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

Matthew 4:7rank 4

Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Matthew 4:10rank 4

“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

Ephesians 6:17rank 4

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

John 17:17rank 3

Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

James 1:18rank 3

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

Matthew 4:4rank 3

But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Job 15:16rank 2

how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?

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