Psalms 17:13 - Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;

Generated Verse: Psalms 17:13

What does "Psalms 17:13" mean?


Psalm 17:13 is a plea for divine intervention. Let's break down each part:

"Arise, Yahweh, confront him." "Arise" implies Yahweh (God's name) is being asked to awaken from a seeming inactivity. It's a call for active intervention. "Confront him" means to meet the wicked person head-on, to challenge their actions directly.

"Cast him down." This is a request for Yahweh to defeat or humble the wicked person. It suggests that the wicked person is in a position of power or is causing trouble, and the psalmist wants them brought low.

"Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword." "Deliver my soul" is a plea for rescue or protection. "By your sword" is a metaphor for God's power and judgment. It doesn't necessarily mean a literal sword, but rather the means by which God vanquishes evil and defends the righteous. In the Old Testament, the sword is often a symbol of God's judgment or instrument of justice.

In summary: The psalmist is asking God to rise up, confront their wicked oppressor, defeat them, and rescue the psalmist from their evil actions through God's own powerful intervention. The verse conveys a sense of urgency and dependence on God's power to overcome wickedness.