Psalms 27:12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
Original Language Analysis
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 11
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּ֭תְּנֵנִי
Deliver
H5414
תִּ֭תְּנֵנִי
Deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 11
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ
me not over unto the will
H5315
בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ
me not over unto the will
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
קָֽמוּ
are risen up
H6965
קָֽמוּ
are risen up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
6 of 11
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עֵֽדֵי
witnesses
H5707
עֵֽדֵי
witnesses
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
8 of 11
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
שֶׁ֝֗קֶר
for false
H8267
שֶׁ֝֗קֶר
for false
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
9 of 11
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
Cross References
Psalms 41:11By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.Psalms 31:8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.Psalms 35:11False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.Acts 9:1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,Psalms 35:25Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.Psalms 38:16For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.Psalms 140:8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.Psalms 41:2The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.Exodus 20:16Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.1 Samuel 26:19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
Historical Context
False witnesses destroyed Job's reputation, caused Naboth's death (1 Kings 21), and condemned Jesus. Israel's law prohibited false testimony (Ex. 20:16), but enforcement failed. God sees truth even when courts fail.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you entrust yourself to God when falsely accused?
- What does Christ's vindication teach about God's justice for the falsely accused?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The plea 'Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty' asks for protection from unjust accusations and violence. False testimony threatened reputation and life. 'Breathe out cruelty' depicts vicious hostility. Reformed theology sees Christ here—falsely accused before Sanhedrin and Pilate (Matt. 26:59-60). God vindicated Christ through resurrection, assuring that He will vindicate all who suffer false accusation.