English Standard Version
Psalms 17:4
4With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
Psalms 17:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
- New International Version (NIV)Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
- New Living Translation (NLT)I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
Context of Psalms 17:4
2From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! 3You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Read all of Psalms 17Psalms 17:4 word by word
לִפְעֻלּ֣וֹת אָ֭דָם בִּדְבַ֣ר שְׂפָתֶ֑יךָ אֲנִ֥י שָׁ֝מַ֗רְתִּי אָרְח֥וֹת פָּרִֽיץ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 17:4
- Psalms 14:1The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
- Genesis 6:5The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
- Job 15:16how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!
- Job 31:33if I have concealed my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart,
- 1 Corinthians 3:3for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
- 1 Peter 4:2so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
- Psalms 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
- Proverbs 2:10for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
- Matthew 4:4But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
- John 17:17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
- Ephesians 6:17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
- James 1:18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- Revelation 12:11And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
- 1 Peter 5:8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Revelation 9:11They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.
Commentaries on Psalms 17:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The paths of the destroyer - Some render, hard or difficult paths, the sense of which is given above. But the passage is exceedingly obscure. My old Psalter translates and paraphrases as follows: - Trans. That my mouthe speke noght the werkes of men, for the wordes of thi lippes I haf keped hard wayse. Par - That es, that nothing passe of my mouthe bot at falles to the louyng of the; noght til werkes of men, that dos o gaynes thy wil; als to say, I spak…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Concerning the works of men - In respect to the works or doings of men. The reference is here probably to the ordinary or common doings of mankind, or to what generally characterizes the conduct of men. As their conduct is so commonly, and so characteristically wicked, wickedness may be spoken of as their “work,” and it is to this doubtless that the psalmist refers. In respect to the sinful courses or “paths” to which men are so prone, he says that he had…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-5The psalmist declares his innocence (Psalm 17:1) and commits himself to integrity by being open to God’s examination.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. works of men--sinful practices. by the word of thy lips--as a guide (Psa 119:9, 11, 95). destroyer--violent man.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 17:4
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries