Psalms 71:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to rescue him from powerful and unjust enemies.
The Context of Psalms 71:4
The psalm turns to name the concrete threat: hostile, powerful enemies.
What Does Psalms 71:4 Mean?
The parallelism—'wicked' and 'unrighteous and cruel'—emphasizes the nature of the threat. The 'hand' of the enemy represents active power to harm. This is not abstract worry but concrete danger from specific adversaries who abuse their strength.
The prayer rests on a simple conviction: God has authority over those who do evil, and can intervene. The psalmist does not attempt to match force with force but instead appeals to a higher authority whose concern is justice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 71:4
What does Psalms 71:4 mean?
The psalmist asks God to rescue him from powerful and unjust enemies.
What is the context of Psalms 71:4?
The psalm turns to name the concrete threat: hostile, powerful enemies.