Psalm 17 (16):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Their raw joy enveloped them, soon followed by a desire filled with malice. Their lips were proclaiming their arrogance. Consequently, they uttered with pride, ‘Hail, O King of the Jews’ (Matthew 27:29), along with similar expressions.

In the embrace of Your wings, You will protect me from the presence of the ungodly who have wronged me. The term “face of the wicked” refers to the wicked themselves. However, Saul and his companions are not described as wicked in a moral sense akin to those living in sin like the Gentiles. Rather, they are depicted as seeking solely the life of a righteous person, innocent in their sight, and failing to recognize the evident anointing of God upon him; they persecuted him, forcing him to endure every conceivable hardship during his escape.

Evil spirits encircle our thoughts, seeking to capture them like ferocious animals. The easiest targets are those who have fallen into sin, having been lured by their own desires.

In the third argument, he appeals to God's compassion, as if to say, I have presented my innocence and invoked Your justice; now, I seek Your mercy. Although I am not at fault in my conflict with Saul, from whom I face persecution, I bear many other transgressions for which I could rightly be punished. Yet, I ask that You exhibit Your mercies toward me, so that all may stand in awe and recognize You as my aid and shield. Rescue me from my foes who defy Your authority—those wicked men who assail those under Your protection. Guard me from them diligently, as one would safeguard the pupil of an eye. Just as a mother hen shelters her chicks from predatory birds, so will You envelop me in Your precious blood, shielding me from the wicked who seek to harm me.

The adversaries, the Jewish leaders, regarded Christ as nothing more than an ordinary man deserving crucifixion. Their hearts, filled with wrath, did not shift to compassion; instead, fueled by rage, they struck the Lord and mocked Him, declaring, ‘Hail, O King of the Jews’ (John 19:3).