Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

PSALMS 17:13KJV
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Psalms 17:13 (KJV)

What does Psalms 17:13 mean?

Psalms 17:13 is a prayer where David asks God to rise up, confront his enemy, bring him down, and rescue David from wicked people whom God uses as instruments of judgment. David is urgently seeking God’s intervention to protect him from those who threaten his life.

David is speaking directly to the LORD, pleading for help against his adversaries. The situation is one of danger, with David feeling pursued by the wicked. The verse shows David’s belief that God is in control, even over those who do evil, and that God can use anyone—even the wicked—as a tool (“thy sword”) to accomplish His purposes.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 17:13

  • "Arise" (קוּם, qum): This word is often used in prayers asking God to take action or intervene, showing David’s sense of urgency and dependence on God’s power.
  • "Disappoint" (קָדַם, qadám): This word can mean to confront or go before, so David is asking God to meet his enemy head-on, not just to frustrate his plans.
  • "Wicked" (רָשָׁע, rasha): This term refers to those who act unjustly or oppose God’s ways, highlighting the moral contrast between David and his enemies.
  • "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): Here, “thy sword” suggests that even the wicked can be used by God as instruments for His purposes, a reminder of God’s sovereignty over all people and events.

Why Psalms 17:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David sees God as the ultimate authority, even over his enemies, and trusts God to act on his behalf.
  • The phrase “which is thy sword” can be misunderstood; it shows that David believes God can use anyone, even the wicked, to accomplish His will.
  • The verse connects to the wider psalm, which is a prayer for protection and justice, and shows David’s pattern of turning to God in times of trouble.

Where else these words appear

“deliver” Hebrew H6403 · used in 23 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
  • Psalms 22:4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
  • Psalms 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

“disappoint” Hebrew H6923 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
  • Psalms 18:5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
  • Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

“down” Hebrew H3766 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • 2 Kings 1:13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
  • Psalms 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.