Psalms 17:12
Psalms 17:12 in Multiple Translations
like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, And as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.
They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.
Like as a lyon that is greedy of pray, and as it were a lyons whelp lurking in secret places.
His likeness as a lion desirous to tear, As a young lion dwelling in secret places.
He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
And he made darkness his covert, his pavilion round about him: dark waters in the clouds of the air.
They are like lions [SIM] that are ready to tear apart the animals that they capture; they are like young lions that are hiding, waiting to pounce on their prey.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 17:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 17:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
דִּמְיֹנ֗/וֹ
כְּ֭/אַרְיֵה
יִכְס֣וֹף
לִ/טְר֑וֹף
וְ֝/כִ/כְפִ֗יר
יֹשֵׁ֥ב
בְּ/מִסְתָּרִֽים
דִּמְיֹנ֗/וֹ
dimyôwn
H1825
likeness
N-ms | Suff
כְּ֭/אַרְיֵה
ʼărîy
H738
lion
Prep | N-ms
יִכְס֣וֹף
kâçaph
H3700
to long
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לִ/טְר֑וֹף
ṭâraph
H2963
to tear
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
וְ֝/כִ/כְפִ֗יר
kᵉphîyr
H3715
lion
Conj | Prep | N-ms
יֹשֵׁ֥ב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal
בְּ/מִסְתָּרִֽים
miçtâr
H4565
hiding
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 17:12
דִּמְיֹנ֗/וֹ
dimyôwn
H1825
"likeness"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to something that looks like or resembles something else, often used to describe God's creation in Genesis 1:26. It is also used in Isaiah 40:18 to compare God to an idol, showing their differences.
Definition: likeness
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] like. See also: Psalms 17:12.
כְּ֭/אַרְיֵה
ʼărîy
H738
"lion"
Prep | N-ms
In biblical times, a lion was a symbol of strength and power, and is often mentioned in stories like Daniel in the lions' den. The word for lion appears in various forms, including pictures or images of lions, and is used in books like 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) lion 1a) pictures or images of lions
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). See also: Genesis 49:9; Proverbs 22:13; Psalms 7:3.
יִכְס֣וֹף
kâçaph
H3700
"to long"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To long or yearn for something, like when the Israelites pined for food in the wilderness. It can also mean to fear or be greedy. This word is used in the Psalms to express deep desire.
Definition: 1) to long for, yearn for, long after 1a) (Qal) to long for 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to long for (deeply) 1b2) being longed for (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: (have) desire, be greedy, long, sore. See also: Genesis 31:30; Psalms 17:12; Psalms 84:3.
לִ/טְר֑וֹף
ṭâraph
H2963
"to tear"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to tear or pull something apart, and it can also mean to provide food. In the Bible, it appears in Exodus 22:13 and Proverbs 30:14. It describes an act of violence or providing for someone.
Definition: 1) to tear, rend, pluck 1a) (Qal) to tear, rend 1b) (Niphal) to be torn in pieces 1c) (Poal) to be torn in pieces 1d) (Hiphil) to provide food
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: catch, [idiom] without doubt, feed, ravin, rend in pieces, [idiom] surely, tear (in pieces). See also: Genesis 37:33; Proverbs 30:8; Psalms 7:3.
וְ֝/כִ/כְפִ֗יר
kᵉphîyr
H3715
"lion"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
This word can mean either a village or a young lion. It is used in the Bible to describe a place or an animal, like a lion with a mane. The KJV translates it as lion or village.
Definition: young lion
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, village. Compare H3723 (כָּפָר). See also: Judges 14:5; Jeremiah 2:15; Psalms 17:12.
יֹשֵׁ֥ב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/מִסְתָּרִֽים
miçtâr
H4565
"hiding"
Prep | N-mp
This Hebrew word means a secret or hiding place, often used for protection or to conceal something, as seen in the Bible's description of hiding from danger. It can also refer to a place where wrongdoings are hidden. The KJV translates it as secret or secretly.
Definition: 1) secret place, hiding place 1a) secret place 1b) hiding place 1b1) for protection 1b2) for perpetration of crime
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: secret(-ly, place). See also: Psalms 10:8; Jeremiah 13:17; Psalms 10:9.
Study Notes — Psalms 17:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 17:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 17:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 17:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 17:12
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 17:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
- Sermons on Psalms 17:12
Context — Hear My Righteous Plea
10They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.
11They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,
12like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword, 14from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 7:2 | or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me. |
| 2 | 1 Peter 5:8 | Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. |
| 3 | Psalms 10:9 | He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net. |
| 4 | Psalms 22:13 | They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul. |
| 5 | 2 Timothy 4:17 | But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. |
Psalms 17:12 Summary
This verse, Psalms 17:12, describes the enemies of God's people as fierce and predatory, like lions waiting to attack. It reminds us that we have enemies who seek to harm us, but God is our protector and deliverer, as seen in Psalms 18:1-3. Just like a lion is patient and stealthy in waiting for its prey, our enemies may be waiting for the perfect moment to strike, but God is always with us, as promised in Psalms 23:4. We can trust in God's power and deliverance, and remember that He is our ultimate hope and security, as expressed in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the comparison to a lion in Psalms 17:12 signify?
The comparison to a lion in Psalms 17:12 signifies the fierce and predatory nature of the enemies of God's people, as seen in Psalms 17:12, similar to how lions stalk and devour their prey, demonstrating the intensity of their opposition and hatred, much like the wicked in Psalms 10:9.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Psalms 17?
This verse is part of a larger cry for help and protection from God, as seen in Psalms 17:13, where David asks God to arise and confront his enemies, demonstrating his trust in God's power and deliverance, similar to what is expressed in Psalms 18:1-3.
What does the image of a young lion lurking in ambush imply?
The image of a young lion lurking in ambush implies a patient and stealthy enemy, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, highlighting the need for constant vigilance and trust in God's protection, as encouraged in Proverbs 29:25 and Psalms 23:4.
How should believers respond to being surrounded by enemies like those described in Psalms 17:12?
Believers should respond with prayer and trust in God's deliverance, as David does in Psalms 17:13, and remember that their ultimate hope and security lie in God, not in their own strength or circumstances, as expressed in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
Reflection Questions
- How do you feel when you are surrounded by enemies or faced with opposition, and what does this verse teach you about God's perspective on such situations?
- In what ways can you apply the lesson of trusting in God's power and deliverance, as seen in Psalms 17:12-14, to your own life and challenges?
- What does the comparison to lions in this verse reveal about the nature of spiritual warfare, and how should believers prepare themselves for such battles, as discussed in Ephesians 6:10-18?
- How does remembering that your enemies are also under God's sovereignty, as implied in Psalms 17:12, influence your prayers and attitudes towards them, and what does this teach you about loving your enemies, as commanded in Matthew 5:44?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 17:12
Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey,.... Or "the likeness of him is as a lion" (i); meaning Saul, as Kimchi interprets it; or everyone of them that compassed them about, as Aben Ezra
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 17:12
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
Like a lion that is greedy of his prey; when he is hungry, and therefore cruel. See 10:8-10.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
Psalms 17:12 Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.Ver. 12. Like as a lion that is greedy, &c.] Cruelty and craft are conjoined in the Church’ s enemies; as the ape never wandereth alone, they say, without his companion. David here pointeth out some one special enemy (Saul likely), who should have been a shepherd, but proved a lion. As a young lion lurking] Therefore as we tender our safety, keep close to God, out of whose hands none can take us, no, not the roaring lion of hell.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
(12) Young lion.—Heb., kephir. The Hebrew has seven different names for the lion. Milton’s description of Satan naturally recurs to the reader— “About them round A lion now he stalks with fiery glare.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
Verse 12. Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey] I believe the word lion is here used to express Saul in his strength, kingly power, and fierce rapacity. See the observations at the end of the Psalm. See Clarke on Psalms 17:15.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 17:12
12. Like as a lion &c.] Lit., He is like a lion that is greedy to raven. (Psalms 22:13). One of the pursuers (Saul, if the singer is David) is conspicuous for ferocity and craftiness. Cp. Psalms 7:2; Psalms 10:8-9.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 17:12
Like as a lion - Margin, “The likeness of him” (that is, “of every one of them”) is “as a lion that desireth to ravin.” The meaning is plain. They were like a lion intent on securing his prey.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 17:12
12. Like as a lion—Literally, He is like a lion, etc. The sudden change from the plural, in Psalms 17:11, to the singular, in this, suggests that the singular be taken distributively.
Sermons on Psalms 17:12
| Sermon | Description | |
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The Lion by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook delves into the symbolism of the lion in the Bible, highlighting its strength, boldness, and predatory nature as described in various verses. The lion is portrayed |
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"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality. |
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A Powerful Warning - Lest We Forget the Message by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the urgency of taking the Word of God seriously and being prepared for His soon coming. It calls for a return to intimacy with Christ, dependence on God, and |
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A Warning to American Christianity by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher passionately emphasizes the importance of preaching the truth of God's word. He condemns liberal theologians who shy away from preaching about hell and |
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A Target of Satan's Envy by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by encouraging the congregation to seek strength and guidance from God in their spiritual battles. He acknowledges that despite hearing numerous |
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Heart to Heart Talk on Marriage by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker starts by sharing a personal anecdote about watching a nature channel and being disturbed by the aggressive behavior of wild dogs in South Africa. He th |
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Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em |