From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
Deliver me from people who are tools in your hand, O LORD, from worldly people whose only reward is in this life. You fill their stomachs with your hidden treasures, they have many children, and they leave their wealth to their descendants.
The writer is asking God to protect him from worldly people who seem to prosper in this life but have no eternal perspective.
📚 Historical Context
Psalms 17 is a prayer of David, likely written during a time of personal danger or persecution, where he seeks God's justice and protection from his enemies. In this verse, David contrasts the temporary prosperity of wicked men, who receive earthly blessings from God but focus only on material wealth and family legacy, with the eternal rewards for the faithful. This reflects the broader biblical narrative in ancient Israel, where figures like David often grappled with the apparent success of the ungodly amidst trials of faith.
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