Psalms 17:13
Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
Original Language Analysis
קוּמָ֤ה
Arise
H6965
קוּמָ֤ה
Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 9
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יְהוָ֗ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
קַדְּמָ֣ה
disappoint
H6923
קַדְּמָ֣ה
disappoint
Strong's:
H6923
Word #:
3 of 9
to project (one self), i.e., precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
פָ֭נָיו
him
H6440
פָ֭נָיו
him
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַכְרִיעֵ֑הוּ
cast him down
H3766
הַכְרִיעֵ֑הוּ
cast him down
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
5 of 9
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
פַּלְּטָ֥ה
deliver
H6403
פַּלְּטָ֥ה
deliver
Strong's:
H6403
Word #:
6 of 9
to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver
נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י
my soul
H5315
נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י
my soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Psalms 44:23Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.Psalms 44:26Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.Psalms 7:6Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.Psalms 3:7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Historical Context
Written during military conflict when David needed divine intervention. Ancient warfare imagery applied to spiritual reality—God as divine warrior fighting for His people (Exodus 15:3).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance praying for justice with leaving vengeance to God?
- What does it mean to trust God as your defender rather than defending yourself?
Analysis & Commentary
David prays for God to 'confront' and 'subdue' his enemies with God's sword. The Hebrew 'qadam' (confront) means to meet face-to-face. This imprecatory prayer appeals to divine justice, trusting God as warrior-king. The 'sword' represents God's judgment. Reformed theology understands such prayers as prophetic declarations of certain judgment, not personal vengeance—they express confidence in God's justice while entrusting vindication to Him.