Christian Standard Bible
Psalms 17:12
12They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
Psalms 17:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
- New International Version (NIV)They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
Context of Psalms 17:12
10They are uncaring; their mouths speak arrogantly. 11They advance against me; now they surround me. They are determined to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush. 13Rise up, Lord! Confront him; bring him down. With your sword, save me from the wicked. 14With your hand, Lord, save me from men, from men of the world whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what you have in store; their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children.
Read all of Psalms 17Psalms 17:12 word by word
דִּמְיֹנ֗וֹ כְּ֭אַרְיֵה יִכְס֣וֹף לִטְר֑וֹף וְ֝כִכְפִ֗יר יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 17:12
- Psalms 7:2or they will tear me like a lion, ripping me apart with no one to rescue me.
- Psalms 22:13They open their mouths against me — lions, mauling and roaring.
- 2 Timothy 4:17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
- 1 Peter 5:8Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
Commentaries on Psalms 17:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey - This is the picture of Saul. While his huntsmen were beating every bush, prying into every cave and crevice, and examining every foot of ground to find out a track, Saul is ready, whenever the game is started, to spring upon, seize, and destroy it. The metaphors are well connected, well sustained, and strongly expressive of the whole process of this persecution. In the ninth verse the huntsmen beat the forest to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Like as a lion - Margin, “The likeness of him” (that is, “of every one of them”) is “as a lion that desireth to ravin.” The meaning is plain. They were like a lion intent on securing his prey. They watched the object narrowly; they were ready to spring upon it. That is greedy of his prey - “He is craving to tear.” Prof. Alexander. - The Hebrew word rendered “is greedy,” means “to pine, to long after, to desire greatly.” The Hebrew word rendered “of his…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-15Verses 8-15 Being compassed with enemies, David prays to God to keep him in safety. This prayer is a prediction that Christ would be preserved, through all the hardships and difficulties of his humiliation, to the glories and joys of his exalted state, and is a pattern to Christians to commit the keeping of their souls to God, trusting him to preserve them to his heavenly kingdom. Those are our worst enemies, that are enemies to our souls. They are God's…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-15The psalmist asks for God's protection and justice, affirms his own integrity, and prays for the Lord to defeat his strong enemies.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. The figure made more special by that of a lion lurking.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 17:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries