¶ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
And I will come upon him while he [is] weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that [are] with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
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Commentary for Psalms 71:4
Psalm 71:4 is part of a prayer of an individual who is seeking refuge and deliverance from oppressors. The Psalmist, traditionally understood to be King David, is crying out to God in a moment of vulnerability and distress. The verse reflects themes of lament, deliverance, and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, which are common in the Psalms.
In this verse, the Psalmist pleads with God to rescue him from the grasp of those characterized as "wicked," "unrighteous," and "cruel." These terms describe individuals who are not only morally corrupt but also actively harm others. The historical context of this Psalm may be tied to the many instances in David's life when he faced persecution and threats from his enemies, such as during his flight from King Saul or from his own son, Absalom, during the rebellion.
The verse underscores the Psalmist's reliance on God as a protector and a source of justice. It speaks to a broader biblical theme of God's role as a deliverer for the faithful when they are surrounded by danger and injustice. This cry for help also resonates with the universal human experience of feeling overwhelmed by the malice of others and the need for divine intervention to restore peace and righteousness.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H6403 There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: פָּלַט Transliteration: pâlaṭ Pronunciation: paw-lat' Description: a primitive root; to slip out, i.e. escape; causatively, to deliver; calve, carry away safe, deliver, (cause to) escape.
Strong's Number: H430 There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֱלֹהִים Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym Pronunciation: el-o-heem' Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
Strong's Number: H3027 There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָד Transliteration: yâd Pronunciation: yawd Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
Strong's Number: H7563 There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: רָשָׁע Transliteration: râshâʻ Pronunciation: raw-shaw' Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
Strong's Number: H3709 There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: כַּף Transliteration: kaph Pronunciation: kaf Description: from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power; branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
Strong's Number: H5765 There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֲוַל Transliteration: ʻăval Pronunciation: aw-val' Description: a primitive root; to distort (morally); deal unjustly, unrighteous.
Strong's Number: H2556 There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: חָמֵץ Transliteration: châmêts Pronunciation: khaw-mates' Description: a primitive root; to be pungent; i.e. in taste (sour, i.e. literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling); cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened.