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.

PSALMS 17:14KJV
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Psalms 17:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 17:14 mean?

Psalms 17:14 describes people who are satisfied with earthly things—those who receive their rewards and pleasures in this life, have plenty to eat, many children, and enough wealth to leave to their descendants. The verse contrasts these people with the speaker, who is seeking something deeper and more lasting from God.

In this psalm, David is praying to the LORD (God), asking for protection from "men of the world" who focus only on material gain and worldly success. David points out that these people have their "portion" (share) in this life, and God has filled their "belly" with hidden treasure, meaning they have more than enough. Yet, David is implying that their satisfaction is limited to this world, while he seeks his fulfillment in God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 17:14

  • "men" (מֵתִים, metim): This word can mean "mortals" or "people," emphasizing their earthly, temporary nature.
  • "portion" (חֵלֶק, cheleq): This means "share" or "lot," highlighting that these people receive their reward now, not in the life to come.
  • "hid" (צָפוּן, tsafun): This word means "hidden" or "stored up," suggesting that God has given these people secret or abundant treasures, but only for this life.
  • "babes" (עוֹלֵל, olel): This refers to young children, showing that these people not only have plenty for themselves but also enough to leave an inheritance to their little ones.

Why Psalms 17:14 matters

  • Psalms 17:14 clarifies that not all blessings or abundance are signs of God's lasting favor—some people receive their rewards only in this life.
  • The verse draws a sharp line between those who live for earthly gain and those, like David, who look to God for something beyond material wealth.
  • This verse helps explain the broader theme of the psalm: David's desire for God's presence and protection, rather than just worldly success or comfort.

Where else these words appear

“world” Hebrew H2465 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 11:17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
  • Psalms 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
  • Psalms 49:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

“babes” Hebrew H5768 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
  • Isaiah 13:16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
  • Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

“men” Hebrew H4962 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 33:6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
  • Job 31:31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

“portion” Hebrew H2506 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.