Psalms 17:10-12
They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse uses the striking image of being "enclosed in their own fat" to describe the enemies, which isn't just about physical well-being, but a spiritual hardening. This "fatness" signifies a self-indulgence and arrogance that has completely shut off their hearts to compassion, making them incapable of pity.
David is surrounded by enemies who are not only cruel but also deeply arrogant. These adversaries, puffed up by their own prosperity and self-importance, have become calloused and boastful, utterly lacking compassion and speaking with contempt. Their hearts are so hardened and closed off that they pursue David relentlessly, like predatory lions eager to tear him apart.
Understand the original words
cheleb · Hebrew Noun/Verb
A state of being closed off to compassion or empathy. Biblically, a "closed heart" indicates spiritual hardness, pride, and an inability to perceive or respond to divine truth or the plight of others.
ge'uth · Hebrew Noun/Adverb
Speech characterized by excessive pride, haughtiness, or a boastful attitude toward God and others. It represents a spirit that elevates self above divine authority and truth.
Psalm 17 reflects a time of intense personal danger for David, likely during a period of rebellion or intense opposition, where he felt surrounded by enemies who were not only physically threatening but also arrogant and unfeeling due to their prosperity.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King
David is king over Israel, facing numerous enemies and political turmoil, including internal strife and external threats, which form the backdrop for many of his Psalms.
c. 1000 BC - 970 BC
Conflicts with Philistines and other Nations
Throughout David's reign, there were continuous conflicts with the Philistines and other surrounding nations, contributing to a climate of instability and danger for the kingdom.
c. 990 BC
Absalom's Rebellion
A major internal conflict where David's son Absalom rebels against him, forcing David to flee Jerusalem and exposing him to the treachery and pride of those who opposed him.
This passage describes the wicked as being 'enclosed in their fat' and speaking arrogantly, mirroring the imagery and sentiment of Psalm 17:10.
Psalm 73:7This verse describes the proud and unfeeling nature of the wicked, stating 'their eyes bulge with conceit,' which directly relates to the spiritual 'fatness' that closes their hearts in Psalm 17:10.
Luke 12:16-21Jesus' parable of the rich fool illustrates how material prosperity (like 'fatness') can lead to a self-absorbed heart that neglects God and others, resulting in arrogant self-reliance spoken of in Psalm 17:10.
1 John 3:17This passage challenges believers to show compassion, highlighting the opposite of what Psalm 17:10 describes – a heart closed to pity and speaking with arrogance, which is a failure to love as God loves.
calvinPsalms 17:10-12: "They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly."
They have inclosed themselves in their own fat, [364] they have spoken proudly with their mouth. 11. They have now compassed me round about in our steps; they have fixed their eyes to cast down to the ground. 12. The likeness of him is as a lion that desireth to tear in pieces, and as a lion's whelp which lurketh in secret places.
They have inclosed themselves in their own fat If the translation…
poolePsalms 17:10: "They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly."
They live in great splendour and prosperity, whilst I am exercised with many and sore troubles. The like phrase we have Job 15:27 Psalm 73:7 . They speak proudly; not only against us, whom they scorn, but even against God himself, whom they despise, boasting of their own power, and what great things they will certainly effect against me.
The verse uses the striking image of being "enclosed in their own fat" to describe the enemies, which isn't just about physical well-being, but a spiritual hardening. This "fatness" signifies a self-indulgence and arrogance that has completely shut off their hearts to compassion, making them incapable of pity.
David is surrounded by enemies who are not only cruel but also deeply arrogant. These adversaries, puffed up by their own prosperity and self-importance, have become calloused and boastful, utterly lacking compassion and speaking with contempt. Their hearts are so hardened and closed off that they pursue David relentlessly, like predatory lions eager to tear him apart.
David is surrounded by enemies who are not only cruel but also deeply arrogant. These adversaries, puffed up by their own prosperity and self-importance, have become calloused and boastful, utterly lacking compassion and speaking with contempt. Their hearts are so hardened and closed off that they pursue David relentlessly, like predatory lions eager to tear him apart.
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"They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in…" — The verse uses the striking image of being "enclosed in their own fat" to describe the enemies, which isn't just about physical well-being, but a spiritual hardening. This "fatness" signifies a self-…
