Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 17:4

"As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent." — Psalms 17:4 (ASV)

Concerning the works of men - Regarding the works or actions of men. The reference here is probably to the ordinary or common actions of humankind, or to what generally characterizes human conduct. Since their conduct is so commonly and characteristically wicked, wickedness may be spoken of as their 'work,' and it is to this, undoubtedly, that the psalmist refers.

Regarding the sinful courses or 'paths' to which people are so prone, he says that he had kept himself from them. This aligns with what he says in the previous verse: that he had given no occasion by his conduct for the treatment he had received from his enemies.

By the word of your lips - Not by his own strength, nor by any power he himself possessed, but by the commands and promises of God—by what had proceeded from His mouth. The reference is undoubtedly to all that God had spoken: to the law which prescribed his duty, and to the promises God had given to enable him to walk in the path of uprightness. He had relied on the word of God as teaching duty; he had submitted to it as authority; he had found encouragement in it in striving to do right.

I have kept myself - I have preserved myself. I have so guarded my conduct that I have not fallen into the sins that are so common among people.

The paths of the destroyer - The paths that the 'destroyer' treads; the course of life that such people lead. The idea is not that he had been able to save himself from violence from them, but that he had been enabled to avoid their way of life.

The word translated 'destroyer' is from a verb meaning 'to break, to rend, to scatter,' and would properly refer to acts of violence and lawlessness. He had kept himself from the ways of life of the violent and the lawless; that is, he had been enabled to lead a peaceful and quiet life. He had given no occasion to his enemies to treat him as a violent, lawless, or wicked man.