“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.”
The plea that God save the speaker by His hand from those whose portion in life is present and their belly filled with treasures and progeny portrays the enemies as materialistic and satisfied with earthly gain. The mention of hand suggests direct divine action. The description of the wicked's portion suggests that their reward is entirely temporal and limited to the present life. The reference to belly and treasures suggests glutinous materialism. This verse contrasts the wicked's earthly satisfaction with implicit suggestion that the speaker's reward lies elsewhere.
Church Fathers on Psalms 17:14
A prayer of David himself. 1. This prayer must be assigned to the Person of the Lord, with the addition of the Church, which is His body. 2. “Hear My righteousness, O God, consider My supplication” Psalm 16:1. “Hearken unto My prayer, not in deceitful lips:” not going forth to You in deceitful lips. “Let My judgment from Your countenance go forth” Psalm 16:2. From the enlightening of the knowledge of You, let Me judge truth. Or at least, let My judgment go forth, not in…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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