As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
Parallel translations
- WEB As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
- KJV Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
- NKJV Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
- NASB As for the works of mankind, by the word of Your lips I have kept from the ways of the violent.
- NLT I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
By God's word David has kept himself from the violent ways of men. It matters because Scripture is the means by which God's people avoid the paths of the wicked.
Overview
David testifies that, guided by the word of God's lips, he has avoided the destructive paths that human conduct so often follows. God's word is the safeguard against the ways of the violent. This anticipates Christ, who overcame temptation by the written word and enables his people to walk in obedience.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- 1 Cor 3:3for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?
- Ps 119:9–11How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
- 1 Pet 5:8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Eph 6:17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- Matt 4:7Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
- Matt 4:10“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
- Rev 12:11They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
- Ps 14:1–3For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.
- Matt 4:4But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
- John 17:17Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
- Jas 1:18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
- Prov 2:10–15For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul.
- Rev 9:11They were ruled by a king, the angel of the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon.
- Gen 6:11Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence.
- Job 31:33if I have covered my transgressions like Adam by hiding my guilt in my heart,
- Job 15:16how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?
- 1 Pet 4:2–3Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
- Gen 6:5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 17:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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