Psalms 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.
Study Note
Study Note
Psalm 17 is a prayer of protest-innocence in which the psalmist appeals to divine examination of conscience (v. 3) and petitions for protection against violent enemies, here described as 'men of the world' (metim mecheled). The verse characterizes worldly men by their portion in 'this life' — a materialist existence whose fullness is precisely its limitation — and whose children inherit their substance but no lasting legacy. Commentators in the wisdom tradition read the verse as an implicit contrast with the psalmist's own portion in verse 15: 'I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied with your likeness.' The patristic and medieval exegetes developed the resurrection resonance of that final verse, making Psalm 17 a text for reflection on eternal versus temporal reward.
Other Translations
From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is inthislife, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
From men, Thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, their portion <FI>is<Fi> in life, And <FI>with<Fi> Thy hidden things Thou fillest their belly, They are satisfied <FI>with<Fi> sons; And have left their abundance to their sucklings.
With your hand, O Lord, from men, even men of the world, whose heritage is in this life, and whom you make full with your secret wealth: they are full of children; after their death their offspring take the rest of their goods.
Cross References
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in …
Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.
He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth …
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.