Psalms 17:4
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Original Language Analysis
אָ֭דָם
of men
H120
אָ֭דָם
of men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 8
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
בִּדְבַ֣ר
by the word
H1697
בִּדְבַ֣ר
by the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 8
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
שְׂפָתֶ֑יךָ
of thy lips
H8193
שְׂפָתֶ֑יךָ
of thy lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
4 of 8
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
שָׁ֝מַ֗רְתִּי
I have kept
H8104
שָׁ֝מַ֗רְתִּי
I have kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
Cross References
1 Corinthians 3:3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:Revelation 12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:Matthew 4:7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.Matthew 4:10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.Matthew 4:4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.John 17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Historical Context
Written when tempted to retaliate against Saul using violence, as his men sometimes urged (1 Samuel 24, 26). David chose obedience to God's word over cultural revenge norms.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's word actively guide your decisions and restrain sinful impulses?
- When has Scripture prevented you from following destructive paths?
Analysis & Commentary
David kept himself from 'paths of the violent' through God's word ('word of Your lips'). The Hebrew 'parits' (violent/destroyer) describes ruthless people. This demonstrates Scripture's sanctifying power—God's word guides and restrains. This anticipates Psalm 119's extensive meditation on Scripture's role in holy living and Jesus' use of Scripture to resist temptation (Matthew 4). Reformed theology affirms Scripture's sufficiency for faith and practice.