Psalm 17:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

NIV: They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

NASB: They have now surrounded us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.

CSB: They advance against me; now they surround me. They are determined to throw me to the ground.

NLT: They track me down and surround me, watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.

KJV: They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

NKJV: They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,

Enemies have surrounded David. This might be a reference to his experiences with the evil king, Saul (1 Samuel 20:32–33). David is praying for God's protection from these foes (Psalm 17:8–9). Earlier, he condemned those involved in "violence," using a term referring to savagery or animalism (Psalm 17:4). Here, David makes a similar comparison. Like pack animals, these murderous enemies have encircled David and others who honor God. Continuing the metaphor, David pictures the enemies as predators who lock eyes on their prospective victims before pouncing on them to drag them down to the earth.

Close attention to the text sees that the psalm has shifted, subtly, from speaking of David himself to plural references: the enemy is now said to be a threat to "our" safety. David was not alone when Saul and his men pursued him. A faithful band of men were with him (1 Samuel 22:1–2), David was concerned not only for himself but also for his faithful companions. It is a mark of noble character to be concerned about others who face trouble. Although the apostle Paul was under house arrest, like David, he was concerned about others. He writes in Philippians 1:7: "I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel." He counseled the Philippian believers: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).

Likely written when Saul was pursuing David in the wilderness, this records David's urgent plea for deliverance. He insists that he is in the right and free from deceit or evil. He proclaims God as a Savior and asks God to heed his cry and reveal His steadfast love to him. David addresses God as the Savior of those who seek refuge in Him from their enemies. Verse 8 uses two famous phrases describing God's tender care and love: "apple of the eye" and "shadow of your wings." Using a singular noun, David compares his enemy, likely Saul, to a ferocious, stealthy, bloodthirsty lion. Through these struggles, David looks forward to a blessed eternity of beholding God's face.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.