Psalms 86:14

KJV

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent [men] have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

KJV (with Strong's)

O God {H430}, the proud {H2086} are risen {H6965}{H8804)} against me, and the assemblies {H5712} of violent {H6184} men have sought {H1245}{H8765)} after my soul {H5315}; and have not set {H7760}{H8804)} thee before them.

Complete Jewish Bible

God, arrogant men are rising against me, a gang of brutes is seeking my life, and to you they pay no attention.

Berean Standard Bible

The arrogant rise against me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, with no regard for You.

American Standard Version

O God, the proud are risen up against me, And a company of violent men have sought after my soul, And have not set thee before them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 86:14 presents a fervent plea from David to God, detailing the severe and organized opposition he faces from arrogant and ruthless adversaries. It vividly portrays their concerted efforts to take his life, crucially identifying the root cause of their malevolence as their utter disregard for God's presence, authority, and judgment. This verse encapsulates David's desperate reliance on divine intervention in the face of godless aggression, highlighting the profound spiritual conflict at play.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 86 is uniquely titled "A Prayer of David," placing it within the genre of individual lament and supplication. It is situated in Book Three of the Psalter (Psalms 73-89), a section often marked by national distress and theological reflection on God's covenant with David. Throughout the psalm, David contrasts his own humility, devotion, and dependence on God with the pride and hostility of his enemies. He repeatedly appeals to God's character—His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness—as the basis for his plea for deliverance. Verse 14 serves as a specific and urgent articulation of the mortal threat David faces, providing the concrete reason for his desperate appeal for God's intervention, a theme consistently woven throughout the psalm, as seen in his cries for help and deliverance in passages like [Psalms 86:1-3](/psalms/86-1-3 "Psalms 86:1-3 - David's Plea for Mercy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting for Psalms 86:14 is not specified, David's life was characterized by numerous periods of intense persecution and opposition, whether from King Saul, his own son Absalom, or various foreign adversaries. The reference to "assemblies of violent men" strongly suggests organized, concerted efforts to harm him, aligning with historical accounts of conspiracies and rebellions against David's rule. In the ancient Near East, a king's life was often precarious, subject to political intrigue and military threats. The idiom "sought after my soul" (Hebrew: *biqshu nafshi*) is a common biblical expression for attempting to take someone's life, underscoring the mortal danger David perceived. Furthermore, the accusation that his enemies "have not set thee before them" speaks to a fundamental breach of Israelite covenantal ethics, where awareness of God's presence and adherence to His laws were paramount for righteous living and societal order.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **The Nature of Opposition** faced by the righteous, characterizing adversaries as "proud" and "violent," indicative of their self-exalting, oppressive, and tyrannical disposition. Secondly, it underscores the **Severity of the Threat**, as their objective is to "seek after my soul," implying a desire for his death or utter ruin. Thirdly, and most profoundly, it identifies **The Root of Ungodliness and Malevolence:** the failure to "set God before them." This spiritual blindness and lack of reverence for God's authority and judgment is consistently portrayed in Scripture as the wellspring of wickedness and injustice, as also seen in [Psalms 10:4](/psalms/10-4 "Psalms 10:4 - The Wicked's Disregard for God") where "God is not in all his thoughts." Finally, the verse implicitly reinforces **David's Trust in God** as his sole refuge and vindicator in the face of such formidable and godless opposition, a theme central to many of David's psalms of lament and trust, such as [Psalms 3:7-8](/psalms/3-7-8 "Psalms 3:7-8 - David's Trust in God for Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Proud (Hebrew, _zêd'_):** From the root meaning "to boil up," this term (H2086) denotes individuals who are arrogant, haughty, and insolent. It describes a person who acts with excessive self-importance and presumption, often defying both human authority and divine law. This pride is characterized by a self-exalting spirit that refuses to acknowledge any superior power or moral restraint, leading to oppressive and rebellious behavior.
* **Violent (Hebrew, _ʻârîyts'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to dread" or "to oppress," this word (H6184) describes individuals who are fearful, powerful, or tyrannical. It conveys a sense of terror or dread they inspire, emphasizing their capacity for brutal force, ruthlessness, and injustice. These are people who use their might to intimidate, crush, and harm others without compunction or moral restraint.
* **Set (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** This primitive root (H7760) is used in a vast variety of applications, both literal and figurative, meaning "to put," "to place," or "to appoint." In the idiom "have not set thee before them," it signifies a deliberate choice not to place God in their thoughts, not to consider Him in their actions, and not to acknowledge Him as a present reality or a future judge. It implies a conscious removal of God from their consciousness and decision-making, leading to profound spiritual blindness and a rejection of divine accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O God":** This is David's direct and immediate address to God (H430, _ʼĕlôhîym_), signaling a fervent, desperate plea and an appeal to divine authority and power as his only recourse. It establishes the psalmist's posture of humble dependence.
* **"the proud are risen against me":** This clause describes the nature of David's adversaries as arrogant and rebellious, actively mobilizing themselves in hostile opposition. "Risen against me" (H6965, _qûwm_) implies a concerted, aggressive stance, possibly even an insurrection or a determined attack aimed at undermining or overthrowing him.
* **"and the assemblies of violent [men] have sought after my soul":** This expands on the threat, indicating that the opposition is not merely individual but organized ("assemblies," H5712, _ʻêdâh_) and characterized by ruthless oppression ("violent men," H6184, _ʻârîyts_). "Sought after my soul" (H1245, _bâqash_; H5315, _nephesh_) is a powerful idiom meaning they are actively attempting to take his life, utterly destroy him, or cause him profound distress, highlighting the mortal danger David faces.
* **"and have not set thee before them":** This final, crucial clause reveals the profound spiritual root of their hostility. Their pride and violence stem from their fundamental godlessness—they live without regard for God's presence, His moral laws, or His impending judgment. This deliberate lack of divine accountability fuels their destructive and oppressive actions.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 86:14 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey David's distress and the nature of his enemies. **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "the proud" and "the assemblies of violent [men]," which, while not strictly synonymous, describe complementary aspects of his adversaries' character and actions, intensifying the sense of overwhelming opposition. The phrase "risen against me" functions as a **Metaphor** for active hostility and rebellion, while "sought after my soul" is a vivid **Idiom** that powerfully conveys the mortal threat to David's life. The most profound device is the **Idiom** "have not set thee before them," which serves as a concise yet comprehensive indictment of their spiritual state, succinctly explaining the source of their wickedness. This idiom also creates a stark **Contrast** with David's own posture throughout the psalm, where he constantly "sets God before him" through prayer, humility, and dependence. The mention of "assemblies" also suggests a form of **Intensification**, emphasizing the widespread and organized nature of the threat, making David's situation seem even more desperate and requiring divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the perennial conflict between the righteous and the wicked, a core theme throughout the biblical narrative. It reveals that at the heart of human oppression and violence lies a fundamental spiritual rebellion: the refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty and presence. When God is not "set before" individuals or societies, pride flourishes, leading to a disregard for justice, compassion, and human life. David's plea is not merely for personal deliverance but also for the vindication of God's righteous order against those who defy it. His trust in God, despite overwhelming odds, underscores the theological truth that ultimate refuge and justice are found only in the Divine, who resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

* [Psalms 10:4](/psalms/10-4 "Psalms 10:4 - The Wicked's Thoughts")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world still grappling with pride, violence, and disregard for divine truth, Psalms 86:14 resonates deeply with believers today. We, too, may face opposition from those who are arrogant, oppressive, or simply live without any conscious awareness of God's authority. This verse serves as a profound reminder that much of the world's conflict and suffering stems from humanity's failure to "set God before them"—to live with an awareness of His presence, obey His commands, and seek His will. When confronted by such hostility, our response should mirror David's: to turn to God in earnest prayer, acknowledging Him as our ultimate refuge, vindicator, and source of strength. It also serves as a call to self-examination, challenging us to ensure that we consistently "set God before" ourselves, allowing His truth to guide our thoughts, words, and actions, thereby contrasting with the destructive path of David's adversaries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do "the proud" and "violent men" manifest in our contemporary society, and how might their actions reflect a failure to "set God before them"?**
* **How does David's immediate appeal to God in the face of overwhelming opposition encourage your own prayer life when facing adversity?**
* **What does it practically mean for you to "set God before" yourself in your daily life, and how might this protect you from the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance?**
* **How can believers respond with both spiritual discernment and Christ-like character when confronted by those who disregard God's truth and authority?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "not set God before them" and why is it so significant?**

Answer: To "not set God before them" (וְלֹא שָׂמוּךָ לְנֶגְדָּם) is a powerful Hebrew idiom that signifies a complete disregard for God's presence, authority, and judgment. It means living as if God does not exist, or as if His commands and moral standards are irrelevant to one's actions. This spiritual blindness is profoundly significant because, in the biblical worldview, it is the root cause of all wickedness, pride, and violence. When individuals or societies remove God from their consciousness and decision-making, they become their own ultimate authority, leading to self-exaltation, oppression, and moral anarchy. It's the opposite of living in reverence and accountability to the Creator, which is the foundation of true wisdom and righteous living, as highlighted in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom").

**How does David's experience of facing proud and violent men relate to the believer's spiritual journey?**

Answer: David's experience in Psalms 86:14 is profoundly relatable to the believer's spiritual journey. Just as David faced physical and political adversaries driven by pride and godlessness, believers today often encounter opposition from a world system that rejects God's authority and values. This can manifest as cultural pressures, ideological conflicts, or even direct persecution. The "proud" and "violent" can represent not just individuals but also spiritual forces and societal structures that operate without divine restraint. David's response—turning to God in earnest prayer and trusting in His character—provides a timeless model for how believers are to navigate such challenges, recognizing that our ultimate battle is spiritual and our ultimate victory comes through reliance on God, as taught in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's anguished cry in Psalms 86:14, detailing his persecution by proud and violent men who utterly disregarded God, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the life and suffering of Jesus Christ. While David experienced human opposition, Jesus faced the concentrated pride and violence of both religious and political powers who demonstrably refused to "set God before them." The chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, blinded by their own self-righteousness and ambition, relentlessly conspired against Him, seeking His life ([Matthew 26:59](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59 - The Conspiracy Against Jesus")). Pilate, driven by political expediency rather than divine justice, succumbed to the violent demands of the crowd, washing his hands of responsibility ([Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate Washes His Hands")). Unlike David, who sometimes faltered, Jesus perfectly embodied the one who always "set God before Him," living in absolute obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). His crucifixion, orchestrated by proud and violent men, was paradoxically God's ultimate plan for salvation. Through His death and resurrection, Christ triumphed over all the "proud" and "violent" spiritual forces of darkness that seek to destroy humanity ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Evil")). Thus, David's plea for deliverance from his adversaries is ultimately answered in Christ, who delivers all who trust in Him from the power of sin, death, and the godless forces that oppose God's kingdom, establishing His eternal reign where all pride is humbled and all violence is overcome.

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 54:3

For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

Psalms 14:4

¶ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

Matthew 26:3

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

Matthew 26:4

And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill [him].

Matthew 27:1

¶ When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

Matthew 27:2

And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Psalms 36:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, [that there is] no fear of God before his eyes.