from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm contrasts the transient, materialistic satisfaction of the ungodly, who are "filled" with earthly "treasure," with the true fulfillment found in God. Notice how the verse highlights their abundance not just for themselves, but also their ability to leave it to their children, emphasizing the emptiness of a life whose ultimate legacy is mere material wealth.
from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David pleads for deliverance not just from his enemies as individuals, but from the very spirit of the world they represent. These are people whose lives are entirely consumed by worldly pursuits and possessions, finding their ultimate satisfaction and legacy in material wealth and numerous offspring, a stark contrast to David's own hope found in God.
David cries out for God's hand to deliver him. But he also speaks of 'men' as being 'by Your hand.' What does this mean for how we see God's involvement in the world?
In this verse, David is wrestling with the reality of powerful, worldly enemies who seem to thrive. He acknowledges that even these instruments of oppression are ultimately under God's sovereign control.
Divine Sovereignty in Suffering
David contrasts himself with 'men of the world.' What defines their 'portion,' and why is it so different from what the godly pursue?
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This verse highlights a fundamental divide between two ways of life: one focused entirely on the present world, the other on God.
Worldly Riches vs. Divine Satisfaction
This passage contrasts the worldly rich man who has his portion in this life with Lazarus who receives his comfort later, mirroring Psalm 17:14's description of those whose ultimate satisfaction is only in this world.
Psalm 73:3-12This psalm explores a similar lament about the prosperity of the wicked who seem to have it all in this life, highlighting the deceptive nature of their abundance compared to the faithful.
Philippians 3:19This verse describes people whose 'end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who serve only earthly things,' directly echoing the theme of those whose portion is in this life.
Job 21:7-15Here, Job questions why the wicked prosper and have children, a sentiment that resonates with the Psalmist's observation of the abundant, worldly blessings enjoyed by his adversaries.
calvinPsalms 17:13-14: "Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:"
- Arise, O Jehovah, prevent [or go before] his face, lay him prostrate on the ground; [368] deliver my soul from the ungodly man by thy sword: 14. From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, from men who are of long duration, [or who are from an age, [369] ] whose portion is in life, whose belly thou fillest with thy secret goods; their children are filled with them, and they leave the r…
pulpitPsalms 17:14: "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."
Verse 14. - From men which are thy hand, O Lord; rather, from men, by thy hand, as in the margin of the Authorized Version, and in the text of the Revised Version. From men of the world; i.e. men who are altogether worldly, whose views, aspirations, h…
The psalm contrasts the transient, materialistic satisfaction of the ungodly, who are "filled" with earthly "treasure," with the true fulfillment found in God. Notice how the verse highlights their abundance not just for themselves, but also their ability to leave it to their children, emphasizing the emptiness of a life whose ultimate legacy is mere material wealth.
David pleads for deliverance not just from his enemies as individuals, but from the very spirit of the world they represent. These are people whose lives are entirely consumed by worldly pursuits and possessions, finding their ultimate satisfaction and legacy in material wealth and numerous offspring, a stark contrast to David's own hope found in God.
David pleads for deliverance not just from his enemies as individuals, but from the very spirit of the world they represent. These are people whose lives are entirely consumed by worldly pursuits and possessions, finding their ultimate satisfaction and legacy in material wealth and numerous offspring, a stark contrast to David's own hope found in God.
"from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants." — The psalm contrasts the transient, materialistic satisfaction of the ungodly, who are "filled" with earthly "treasure," with the true fulfillment found in God. Notice how the verse highlights their a…
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Last reviewed October 2026