Psalms 17:7

KJV

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].

KJV (with Strong's)

Shew thy marvellous {H6395} lovingkindness {H2617}, O thou that savest {H3467} by thy right hand {H3225} them which put their trust {H2620} in thee from those that rise up {H6965} against them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Show how wonderful is your grace, savior of those who seek at your right hand refuge from their foes.

Berean Standard Bible

Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.

American Standard Version

Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that take refuge in thee From those that rise upagainst them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 17:7 is a fervent prayer from David, a plea for God to display His extraordinary and unique covenantal love and power. In a time of intense personal distress and opposition, David appeals to God as the ultimate Deliverer, specifically for those who place their complete reliance and trust in Him. This verse encapsulates a profound theological truth: God's salvation is a mighty, decisive act rooted in His steadfast character, extended to those who faithfully depend on Him amidst the threats of adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 17 is an individual lament, a heartfelt prayer for divine intervention and vindication. David, facing false accusations and mortal threats, appeals directly to God, asserting his own integrity and righteousness before Him (cf. [Psalm 17:3-5](/psalms/17-3 "Psalm 17:3-5 - David's Plea of Innocence")). The psalm follows a typical lament structure: an initial cry for help, an assertion of innocence, a description of the enemies, a renewed petition for deliverance, and an expression of confidence in God's justice. Verse 7 serves as a pivotal point in David's plea, moving from a general appeal for justice to a specific request for God to manifest His distinctive saving power on behalf of His trusting servants. It sets the stage for the detailed description of his enemies and his confident expectation of divine protection in the subsequent verses (e.g., [Psalm 17:8-9](/psalms/17-8 "Psalm 17:8-9 - Keep Me as the Apple of Your Eye")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was frequently marked by periods of intense persecution and betrayal, whether from King Saul (e.g., [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David Flees Saul")), Absalom, or foreign enemies. This psalm likely stems from such a period, where David felt surrounded by hostile forces seeking his downfall. The concept of God's "right hand" was a pervasive cultural idiom in the ancient Near East, symbolizing power, authority, and decisive action. For Israel, this imagery was deeply rooted in their history, particularly the Exodus, where God's "strong hand and outstretched arm" delivered them from Egypt (e.g., [Deuteronomy 5:15](/deuteronomy/5-15 "Deuteronomy 5:15 - God's Mighty Hand in the Exodus")). The "lovingkindness" (Hebrew: *ḥesed*) refers to God's covenantal faithfulness, a steadfast and loyal love that binds Him to His people, implying active intervention and protection.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several foundational themes central to the book of Psalms and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **uniqueness and reliability of God's character**, particularly His "marvellous lovingkindness" which is distinct from human affection and unwavering in its commitment to His covenant people. Secondly, it highlights **God's omnipotent power to deliver**, portraying Him as the ultimate rescuer who acts decisively "by His right hand" against all adversaries, a theme echoed in passages like [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord My Rock and My Deliverer"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **critical importance of human trust and dependence on God**. God's saving action is specifically directed towards "them which put their trust in thee," establishing a clear correlation between faith and divine intervention, a principle seen throughout Scripture, from Abraham's faith (e.g., [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Reckoned as Righteousness")) to the exhortations in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Marvellous lovingkindness (Hebrew, חֶסֶד, *ḥesed*):** This is one of the richest theological terms in the Old Testament. *Ḥesed* signifies far more than simple affection; it denotes God's loyal, steadfast, and covenantal love, characterized by faithfulness, mercy, and active help. It's a love that is unwavering, even when undeserved, and is the foundation of God's relationship with His people. The addition of "marvellous" (פֶּלֶא, *peleʾ*) emphasizes its extraordinary, wondrous, and unique nature – it is a love that transcends human comprehension and expectation, manifesting in miraculous deliverance.
* **Savest (Hebrew, יָשַׁע, *yashaʿ*):** This verb means "to save," "to deliver," "to rescue," or "to bring salvation." It implies active intervention to bring someone out of danger, distress, or oppression into a state of safety and well-being. In the context of Psalm 17:7, it highlights God's role as the ultimate rescuer, capable of providing complete and decisive deliverance from all forms of adversity. This verb is foundational to the concept of salvation throughout the Bible.
* **Right hand (Hebrew, יָמִין, *yamin*):** In ancient Near Eastern cultures and throughout biblical literature, the "right hand" is a powerful symbol of strength, power, authority, and decisive action. To save "by thy right hand" is to emphasize God's omnipotent and effective intervention. It is not a weak or hesitant act, but a mighty, victorious display of divine power that ensures the complete rescue of those who trust in Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness":** This is an imperative plea, an earnest request for God to actively demonstrate and make visible His unique, steadfast, and wondrous covenantal love. David is not merely asking for mercy, but for a tangible manifestation of God's deepest character – His *ḥesed* – in his current desperate situation. It implies an appeal to God's very nature as the basis for intervention.
* **"O thou that savest by thy right hand":** This clause identifies God by His primary attribute as the Deliverer. The phrase "by thy right hand" underscores the omnipotence and efficacy of God's saving action. It's a declaration of faith in God's ability to act with supreme power and authority, ensuring a complete and decisive rescue. It contrasts God's mighty intervention with the weakness of human efforts or the power of the adversaries.
* **"them which put their trust [in thee]":** This specifies the recipients of God's mighty salvation. God's deliverance is not indiscriminate but is specifically directed towards those who place their full reliance, confidence, and faith in Him. The Hebrew word for "trust" (חָסָה, *ḥāsāh*) often implies taking refuge under someone's protection, like a bird sheltering under wings. It signifies a complete surrender and dependence on God's faithfulness.
* **"from those that rise up [against them]":** This identifies the nature of the threat. The phrase "rise up" (קוּם, *qûm*) suggests hostile, aggressive, and violent opposition. These are adversaries who actively seek to harm or destroy God's trusting people. The verse promises that God's "right hand" will effectively deliver His trusting ones from such formidable and malevolent forces.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 17:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The direct address to God, "O thou that savest," is an example of **Apostrophe**, lending a personal and urgent tone to the prayer. The phrase "by thy right hand" is a vivid **Metonymy** where the "right hand" stands in for God's entire power, authority, and decisive action. It also functions as powerful **Imagery**, evoking a sense of divine strength and active intervention. The contrast between God's mighty saving power and the vulnerability of "them which put their trust in thee" against "those that rise up against them" creates a dramatic tension, highlighting God as the ultimate source of deliverance. The entire verse is a concise yet profound statement of **Petition** grounded in **Theological Affirmation** of God's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 17:7 serves as a microcosm of biblical theology, powerfully connecting God's immutable character with His active engagement in human history. The "marvellous lovingkindness" (*ḥesed*) is not a passive attribute but the very wellspring of God's saving acts, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. This divine *ḥesed* is the bedrock upon which trust is built, assuring believers that their reliance on God is never in vain. God's saving action "by His right hand" affirms His absolute sovereignty and omnipotence, declaring that no adversary, no matter how formidable, can ultimately thwart His purposes for those who take refuge in Him. This verse thus weaves together the threads of divine faithfulness, omnipotent power, and human faith into a cohesive tapestry of salvation.

* [Psalm 36:7](/psalms/36-7 "Psalm 36:7 - How precious is your steadfast love, O God!")
* [Proverbs 3:5](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 17:7 offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of life. It calls us to a deep, active trust in God, not as a passive hope, but as a confident reliance on His proven character. When faced with overwhelming adversaries—whether spiritual attacks, relational conflicts, professional setbacks, or personal struggles—this verse reminds us that our ultimate refuge is in the God whose "marvellous lovingkindness" is unfailing and whose "right hand" is mighty to save. It encourages us to boldly bring our pleas before Him, knowing that He is uniquely qualified and powerfully able to deliver those who lean fully on Him. Our salvation, both in its grandest eternal sense and in its daily manifestations, is not by our own strength or cunning, but by the sovereign, faithful, and omnipotent hand of God, activated by our unwavering faith in His enduring faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to experience God's "marvellous lovingkindness" and saving power today?**
* **How does understanding God's "right hand" as a symbol of His decisive power strengthen your trust in Him during times of fear or uncertainty?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more fully "put your trust" in God when facing those who "rise up against you," whether literally or figuratively?**
* **How does this verse challenge any tendency to rely on your own strength or human solutions rather than divine intervention?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "marvellous lovingkindness" (hesed) in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "marvellous lovingkindness" translates the Hebrew *ḥesed* (lovingkindness, steadfast love, covenant faithfulness) combined with *peleʾ* (marvellous, wondrous). This signifies God's unique, extraordinary, and unwavering covenantal commitment to His people. It's a love that is not merely emotional but active, loyal, and powerful, always seeking the good and deliverance of those with whom God has a relationship. It's "marvellous" because it goes beyond human expectation, often manifesting in miraculous or unexpected ways, as seen in God's mighty acts throughout Israel's history, such as the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - The Song of Moses").

**Does God only save those who "put their trust in Him"?**

Answer: While God's common grace extends to all humanity (e.g., [Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God Makes His Sun Rise on the Evil and on the Good")), Psalm 17:7 speaks specifically of a particular kind of saving intervention for those in covenant relationship with Him, characterized by active faith. The "them which put their trust [in thee]" refers to those who consciously and deliberately rely on God for their deliverance and protection. This trust is not a work that earns salvation, but the necessary posture of faith that receives God's promised intervention. It highlights the relational aspect of God's deliverance, where His power is unleashed on behalf of those who depend on Him, as illustrated by countless examples in Scripture, such as [David's reliance on God against Goliath](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 17:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "marvellous lovingkindness" of God, *ḥesed*, is supremely demonstrated in the sending of His Son, Jesus, who embodies God's steadfast love and mercy toward humanity (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - For God So Loved the World")). Jesus is the One whom God "savest by thy right hand," for He is seated at the "right hand of God" (cf. [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Seated at the Right Hand of God")), exercising all divine power and authority to deliver His people from the ultimate adversaries: sin, death, and the devil (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). Our trust, which David placed in Yahweh, is now fully and perfectly placed in Christ, for He is the "author and perfecter of our faith" (cf. [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith")). Through His atoning sacrifice and triumphant resurrection, Christ has decisively delivered all who put their trust in Him from the spiritual forces that "rise up against them," securing eternal salvation and daily protection for His beloved church (cf. [Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors Through Him Who Loved Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 60:5

That thy beloved may be delivered; save [with] thy right hand, and hear me.

Psalms 31:21

Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

Psalms 5:11

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalms 5:12

For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.

Psalms 20:6

¶ Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Exodus 15:6

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.