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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 17:11 They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/17-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/19_Psa_017_011.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 17:11 - Hear My Righteous Plea" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/17-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/17-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/17-10.htm" title="Psalm 17:10">◄</a> Psalm 17:11 <a href="/psalms/17-12.htm" title="Psalm 17:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They track me down and surround me, watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have now surrounded us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast <i>us</i> down to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They have now surrounded us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They have now surrounded us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast <i>us</i> down to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They have now surrounded us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast <i>us</i> down to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They track us down <i>and</i> have now surrounded us in our steps; They set their eyes to force us to the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They advance against me; now they surround me. They are determined to throw me to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They advance against me; now they surround me. They are determined to throw me to the ground. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They have now compassed us in our steps; They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They have caught up with me! My enemies are everywhere, eagerly hoping to smear me in the dirt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They have now compassed us in our steps: they set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They have tracked me down. They have surrounded me. They have focused their attention on throwing me to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They are around me now, wherever I turn, watching for a chance to pull me down. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now they have encircled our paths and are determined to cast us down to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have tracked us down, and now surround us; their eyes are set to cast us to the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They attack me, now they surround me; they intend to throw me to the ground. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They have tracked me down; suddenly they surround me. They watch closely, crouching down to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Our steps have now surrounded [him]”; They set their eyes to turn aside in the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Our steps now have compassed him;' Their eyes they set to turn aside in the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />We went straight, now they surrounded us: their eyes they will set to incline to the earth;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They have cast me forth and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 16:11>They have cast me out, and now they have surrounded me. They have cast their eyes down to the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Their steps even now encircle me; they watch closely, keeping low to the ground, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They have praised me, and now have surrounded me; they have determined to bury me in the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They praised me and now they have surrounded me; they have set their eyes to cast me down to the ground.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />At our every step they have now encompassed us; They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They have now cast me out and compassed me round about: they have set their eyes <i>so as</i> to bow them down to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/17-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=1432" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/17.htm">Hear My Righteous Plea</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/838.htm" title="838: ’aš·šu·rê·nū (N-fpc:: 1cp) -- Step, going. Or ashshur; from 'ashar in the sense of going; a step.">They have tracked us down,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">and now</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: sə·ḇå̄·ḇū·nī (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cp) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">surround us;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nê·hem (N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">their eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7896.htm" title="7896: yā·šî·ṯū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To put, set. A primitive root; to place.">are set</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: lin·ṭō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">to cast us</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">to the ground,</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">Matthew 26:47</a></span><br />While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-3.htm">John 18:3</a></span><br />So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-47.htm">Luke 22:47</a></span><br />While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-43.htm">Mark 14:43</a></span><br />While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Acts 4:27</a></span><br />In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-57.htm">Acts 7:57-58</a></span><br />At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. / They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a></span><br />The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Luke 19:43</a></span><br />For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-17.htm">2 Timothy 4:17</a></span><br />But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-15.htm">Romans 3:15</a></span><br />“Their feet are swift to shed blood;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-7.htm">Isaiah 59:7</a></span><br />Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-2.htm">Micah 7:2</a></span><br />The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;</p><p class="hdg">compassed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">1 Samuel 23:26</a></b></br> And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm">1 Samuel 24:2,3</a></b></br> Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/26-2.htm">1 Samuel 26:2,3</a></b></br> Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph… </p><p class="hdg">set</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8-10</a></b></br> He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-13.htm">Proverbs 6:13,14</a></b></br> He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">Alert</a> <a href="/job/4-4.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/psalms/5-10.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/job/26-10.htm">Circle</a> <a href="/job/38-18.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/16-3.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/26-10.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/17-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/10-5.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-18.htm">Forcing</a> <a href="/psalms/12-6.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Round</a> <a href="/job/34-21.htm">Step</a> <a href="/psalms/17-5.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/job/19-6.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/2-3.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/job/14-16.htm">Track</a> <a href="/hosea/6-8.htm">Tracked</a> <a href="/psalms/17-6.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/21-7.htm">Alert</a> <a href="/psalms/62-3.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/psalms/17-13.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/psalms/19-6.htm">Circle</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-7.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-24.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-21.htm">Forcing</a> <a href="/psalms/26-12.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/18-36.htm">Step</a> <a href="/psalms/18-36.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/50-17.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-22.htm">Track</a> <a href="/hosea/6-8.htm">Tracked</a> <a href="/psalms/18-22.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/17-1.htm">David, in confidence of his integrity, craves defense of God against his enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">He shows their pride, craft, and eagerness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/17-13.htm">He prays against them in confidence of his hope</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/17.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>They have tracked us down</b><br />This phrase suggests a relentless pursuit by adversaries. The Hebrew root for "tracked" is "naqaph," which implies encircling or encompassing. Historically, this reflects the persistent threats faced by David, often pursued by King Saul and his forces. Spiritually, it symbolizes the constant vigilance required by believers against spiritual adversaries, echoing the New Testament's call to be watchful against the devil's schemes (<a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>).<p><b>and have surrounded us</b><br />The imagery of being surrounded indicates a sense of entrapment and vulnerability. The Hebrew word "sabab" conveys the idea of being encircled or besieged. In the historical context, David often found himself physically surrounded by enemies, yet he consistently turned to God for deliverance. This serves as a metaphor for the spiritual battles Christians face, where the world and its temptations can feel overwhelming, yet God's protection remains steadfast.<p><b>their eyes are set</b><br />This phrase highlights the determination and focus of the adversaries. The Hebrew word "shith" means to set or appoint, indicating a deliberate intention. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the focused intent of evil forces to derail the faithful. It serves as a reminder for believers to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (<a href="/hebrews/12-2.htm">Hebrews 12:2</a>), countering the malevolent focus of their enemies.<p><b>to cast us to the ground</b><br />The phrase "cast us to the ground" suggests a desire to bring about complete defeat or humiliation. The Hebrew "natah" means to stretch out or extend, often used in the context of laying low or overthrowing. Historically, this reflects the physical threats David faced, but spiritually, it represents the attempts of evil to bring believers to a state of despair or spiritual defeat. However, the overarching biblical narrative assures that God lifts the humble and opposes the proud (<a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a>), offering hope and restoration to those who trust in Him.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">They have now . . .</span>--Evidently the meaning is, <span class= "ital">Wherever we go they surround us like curs, i.e., </span>they dog our footsteps. But the text is confused.<p><span class= "bld">They have set.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">they fix their eyes to cast on the earth, </span>which may mean, "they fix their eyes on me, ready to strike me to the ground." Ewald, "they direct their eyes through the land to strike." But Mr. Burgess suggests a translation at once simple and convincing. He brings the first word back from the next verse, and points it <span class= "ital">our blood, </span>instead of the awkward <span class= "ital">his likeness. </span>He thus gets, "They have set their eyes to shed our blood on the earth." For the Hebrew verb in similar sense, comp. <a href="/isaiah/66-12.htm" title="For thus said the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall you suck, you shall be borne on her sides, and be dandled on her knees.">Isaiah 66:12</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They have now compassed us</span> in <span class="cmt_word">our steps;</span> rather, [<span class="accented">following</span>] <span class="accented">our steps</span>, <span class="accented">they now compass me</span> (comp. ver. 9; and see <a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">1 Samuel 23:26</a>). <span class="cmt_word">They have set their eyes bowing down to the earth</span>; rather, <span class="accented">they have set their eyes</span>, <span class="accented">to east</span> [<span class="accented">me</span>] <span class="accented">down to the earth.</span> The simile of the lion is already in the writer's mind. As the lion, before making his spring, fixes his eyes intently upon the prey - not to fascinate it, but to make sure of his distance - with intent, when he springs, to cast the prey down to the earth; so it is now with my enemies, who have set their eyes on me. (So Dr. Kay, the 'Speaker's Commentary,' and the Revised Version.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/17-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They have tracked us down,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֭שֻּׁרֵינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’aš·šu·rê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_838.htm">Strong's 838: </a> </span><span class="str2">Step, going</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and now</span><br /><span class="heb">עַתָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surround us;</span><br /><span class="heb">סְבָב֑וּנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(sə·ḇā·ḇū·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינֵיהֶ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are set</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֝שִׁ֗יתוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šî·ṯū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7896.htm">Strong's 7896: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to cast [us]</span><br /><span class="heb">לִנְט֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lin·ṭō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the ground,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/17-11.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 17:11 They have now surrounded us in our (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/17-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 17:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 17:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/17-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 17:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 17:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>