Psalm 17:9 Kommentar

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.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 17 A Prayer of David. This prayer was put up by David either in his own person, on his own account, praying to God for the vindication of his cause, and for salvation and deliverance from his enemies; or in the person of the Messiah, whose type he was, and of the whole church, so Jerom of old interpreted it; and the title of it in the Arabic version is, "a prayer in the person of a perfect man, and of Christ himself, and of everyone that is redeemed by him;'' in which preservation and protection are prayed for, and hope of eternal life is expressed. It was written, according to Theodoret, when David suffered persecution from Saul.

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 people of God, when they are suffered to get in among them, Psa 80:13; wherefore from such wicked and unreasonable men protection is desired, Th2 3:2; from my deadly enemies; enemies against his soul or life, who sought to take it away, nothing would satisfy them but this; who compass me about; on all sides, in order to obtain their desire; such were the enemies of Christ, and so they are described, Psa 22:12. (g) "quid vastant", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "qui vastaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Michaelis.

"From the face of the ungodly who have troubled Me."

Next he shows from what it is fitting to be delivered: "from the face of the wicked who have afflicted me," that is, from the power and presence of demons, or of false brethren. 2 Cor. 11: "In perils from false brethren." "Who have afflicted me" with temptations and persecutions. Exod. 1: "The Egyptians hated the children of Israel and afflicted them, mocking them." So we ought to ask to be delivered from sin: Sir. 21: "Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent."

"My enemies." Here he sets forth the necessity for deliverance. And concerning this he does two things. First, he sets forth the affliction he suffers. Second, the likeness of the affliction, at "They received me." Concerning the first, he does two things. First, he sets forth the affliction. Second, the manner of the affliction, at "Their fatness," etc. He says, therefore: "My enemies" -- demons or sins -- so afflict me that they "have surrounded my soul," that is, they so enclose me on every side that I find no way of liberation. And he says "soul," because they seek nothing but the soul. Bodily enemies seek to take away life; but spiritual enemies seek the soul. Or it can be understood of Christ, whose soul the Jews surrounded with their malice. Ps. 117: "They surrounded me like bees," etc. Likewise, Ps. 21: "Many dogs surrounded me; the council of the wicked besieged me."

This Psalm is termed a prayer because the language of petition is predominant. With a just cause, sincerely presented, the writer prays for a just decision and help and protection. Pleading former mercies as a ground of hope, he urges his prayer in view of the malice, pride, rapacity, and selfishness of his foes, whose character is contrasted with his pious devotion and delight in God's favor. (Psa 17:1-15) sentence--acquitting judgment. from thy presence--Thy tribunal. things that are equal--just and right, do Thou regard.

compass me--(compare Psa 118:10-12).