Psalms 17:14
Context17:14 Lord, use your power to deliver me from these murderers, 1
from the murderers of this world! 2
They enjoy prosperity; 3
you overwhelm them with the riches they desire. 4
They have many children,
and leave their wealth to their offspring. 5
Psalms 37:11
Context37:11 But the oppressed will possess the land
and enjoy great prosperity. 6
Psalms 37:27
Context37:27 Turn away from evil! Do what is right! 7
Then you will enjoy lasting security. 8
1 tc Heb “from men [by] your hand,
2 tn Heb “from men, from [the] world.” On the emendation of “men” to “murderers,” see the preceding note on the word “murderers.”
3 tn Heb “their portion, in life.”
4 tn Heb “and [with] your treasures you fill their belly.”
sn You overwhelm them with the riches they desire. The psalmist is not accusing God of being unjust; he is simply observing that the wicked often prosper and that God is the ultimate source of all blessings that human beings enjoy (see Matt 5:45). When the wicked are ungrateful for God’s blessings, they become even more culpable and deserving of judgment. So this description of the wicked actually supports the psalmist’s appeal for deliverance. God should rescue him because he is innocent (see vv. 3-5) and because the wicked, though blessed abundantly by God, still have the audacity to attack God’s people.
5 tn Heb “they are satisfied [with] sons and leave their abundance to their children.”
6 tn Heb “and they will take delight in (see v. 4) abundance of peace.”
7 tn Or “Do good!” The imperatives are singular (see v. 1).
8 tn Heb “and dwell permanently.” The imperative with vav (ו) is best taken here as a result clause after the preceding imperatives.