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.

Deliver {H5414} me not over unto the will {H5315} of mine enemies {H6862}: for false {H8267} witnesses {H5707} are risen up {H6965} against me, and such as breathe out {H3307} cruelty {H2555}.

don't give me up to the whims of my foes; for false witnesses have risen against me, also those who are breathing violence.

Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries: For false witnesses are risen up against me, And such as breathe out cruelty.

Commentary

Psalm 27:12 is a poignant plea from David, highlighting his deep distress and dependence on God amidst severe opposition. It stands as a powerful prayer for divine protection against malicious enemies and their unjust schemes.

Context

This verse is found within the latter half of Psalm 27, where David's tone shifts from confident declaration of faith (verses 1-6) to an earnest supplication in the face of overwhelming adversity (verses 7-14). Having expressed his assurance in God's presence and protection, David now lays bare the specific threats he faces. This psalm likely reflects a time when David was under intense pressure, possibly from King Saul, his son Absalom, or other adversaries who sought his downfall through deceit and violence. His appeal here underscores the reality that even those with strong faith experience moments of intense vulnerability and require God's direct intervention.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The central cry, "Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies," expresses a desperate need for God's direct intervention to prevent utter defeat and subjugation. It emphasizes absolute reliance on God as the ultimate protector.
  • False Accusation and Injustice: David specifically mentions "false witnesses," indicating that his adversaries were not merely attacking him militarily but also through slander and baseless legal or social accusations. This highlights the pain and injustice of being falsely maligned. This theme resonates with many biblical narratives, including the plot against Naboth (1 Kings 21:13) and the trial of Jesus Himself (Matthew 26:59-60).
  • Malice and Cruelty: The phrase "such as breathe out cruelty" vividly describes the inherent character and aggressive intent of his enemies. It suggests not just opposition, but a deep-seated desire to inflict harm and suffering, indicating a spirit of violence and oppression.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "false witnesses" is 'edei sheqer (ืขึตื“ึตื™ ืฉึถืืงึถืจ), which literally means "witnesses of falsehood" or "lying witnesses." This emphasizes the deliberate nature of their deceit. The expression "breathe out cruelty" comes from the Hebrew yapheach chamas (ื™ึธืคึตื—ึท ื—ึธืžึธืก). The verb yapheach can mean "to puff, to blow, to breathe out," while chamas refers to "violence" or "cruelty." This imagery paints a picture of enemies whose very breath and being are filled with violent intent, suggesting an active, pervasive malice.

Practical Application

Psalm 27:12 offers profound encouragement for anyone facing slander, false accusations, or relentless opposition. It reminds us that:

  • Prayer is Our Refuge: Like David, we can bring our specific fears and threats to God, confident that He hears and can deliver. When faced with injustice, prayer is a powerful weapon.
  • God is Our Defender: Even when human systems fail or betray us, God remains the ultimate arbiter of justice and our steadfast protector. We are called to trust in His sovereignty, even in the most challenging circumstances.
  • Persecution is Not New: The experience of false witnesses and cruel adversaries is a reality for many who seek to follow God. This verse reminds us that such trials are part of the human, and often spiritual, experience, and we are not alone. We can draw strength from knowing that God is able to deliver us from unreasonable and wicked men (2 Thessalonians 3:2).

This verse serves as a timeless testament to the power of desperate, yet faithful, prayer in the face of overwhelming and unjust adversity, assuring us that God is attentive to the cries of His people.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 31:8

    And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

  • Psalms 41:11

    By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

  • Matthew 26:59

    Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

  • Matthew 26:60

    But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

  • Psalms 35:11

    ยถ False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.

  • Acts 6:11

    Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

  • Acts 6:13

    And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
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