Psalms 17:13 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Arise, O Lord, disappoint him Hebrew, קדמה פניו, kadmah panaiv, prevent his face; that is, Go forth against him, and meet and face him in battle, as enemies are wont to do. Or, prevent the execution of his mischievous designs against me: stop him in his attempt, and give him the first blow. The wicked, which is thy sword Or thy hand, as it follows, Psalms 17:14, that is, thy instrument to execute vengeance upon thine enemies, or to chastise and exercise thy people; for which latter reason the Assyrian is termed God's rod, Isaiah 10:5, as being raised up and appointed for the correction of God's people, Habakkuk 1:12. The sense therefore is, Do not punish me by this rod: let me fall into thy hands, and not into the hands of wicked men, 2 Samuel 24:14. The words, however, may be rendered, Let thy sword deliver me from the wicked: thy hand, O Lord, from men: Psalms 17:14, from those men, who are of this world: the sword and hand of Jehovah being frequently used to denote his power and vengeance.