They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Psalm 17:11 belongs to the first book of the Psalms, in a psalm of David. That psalm opens a window into the life of the shepherd-warrior-poet, keeping his flock under the stars and leading them to green pastures, fleeing from Saul whom he spared, hemmed in by implacable and treacherous foes, confronted with human folly and wickedness, and marvelously delivered on the field of victory. Within that setting the verse pictures enemies now closing in around the speaker at every step, fixing their eyes to cast him down to the earth and watching for the chance to do it.
The song in which it stands is instructive, devout, helpful, elevating, and worshipful. It breathes prayer, praise, and devotion, mistrust of human strength, and exaltation of and confidence in God's power, might, and goodness. It carries assurance of the ultimate overthrow of all wickedness and the triumph of all good, with lessons of trust and confidence in God. In this it reflects something of the experience of Christ as great David's greater Son.
Psalm 17:11 belongs to the first book of the Psalms, in a psalm of David. That psalm opens a window into the life of the shepherd-warrior-poet, keeping his flock under the stars and leading them to green pastures, fleeing from Saul whom he spared, hemmed in by implacable and treacherous foes, confronted with human folly and wickedness, and marvelously delivered on the field of victory. Within that setting the verse pictures enemies now closing in around the speaker at every step, fixing their eyes to cast him down to the earth and watching for the chance to do it.
The song in which it stands is instructive, devout, helpful, elevating, and worshipful. It breathes prayer, praise, and devotion, mistrust of human strength, and exaltation of and confidence in God's power, might, and goodness. It carries assurance of the ultimate overthrow of all wickedness and the triumph of all good, with lessons of trust and confidence in God. In this it reflects something of the experience of Christ as great David's greater Son.