Psalm 18:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

NIV: You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

NASB: For You save an afflicted people, But You humiliate haughty eyes.

CSB: For you rescue an oppressed people, but you humble those with haughty eyes.

NLT: You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.

KJV: For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

NKJV: For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.

In this context, being "humble" is a reference to having a low position or status, as well as an attitude which recognizes one's limitations. The Lord saves poor or afflicted people, but He often acts to bring down the arrogant. He saved David when David was afflicted, but He defeated Saul, David's arrogant adversary.

Around the dawn of human history, Lucifer, a shining angel near God's throne, became haughty. He looked arrogantly at God's throne and decided to capture it for himself. He said in his heart, "I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:13–14). The Lord responded: "But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit" (Isaiah 14:15).

All who follow the example of Lucifer will ultimately find that sinful pride goes before a fall. James 4:6 assures us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:10 promises those who humble themselves before the Lord that the Lord will exalt them.

Psalm 18:20–27 describes David's relationship with the Lord as the reason God rescued him. Second Samuel 22:21–26 presents a slight variation of the words found in this passage. Most likely, the words David originally spoke, as recorded in 2 Samuel 22, were adapted for use in a worship setting, as presented in Psalm 18. David began this psalm by telling the Lord he loved Him. Next, he described dire circumstances, such as when Saul and his men pursued him in the wilderness. He closed the first section of the psalm with a poetic description of how the Lord rescued him from his enemies.

In 2 Samuel chapter 22, David expresses praise for all the times in his life where God gave him victory. That prayer or song is copied almost identically here. Psalm 18, itself, might have been adapted for use in public worship. David remembers dire situations where God rescued him. He dramatically recounts how God provided rescue and power. David also credits God with rewarding his obedience by making him a powerful and successful military leader. For these reasons, David commits himself to the praise and worship of the Lord.

This psalm is David's prayer to the Lord in which David praises the Lord for making him victorious over his enemies. Second Samuel 5, 8, and 10 are companion chapters, and 2 Samuel 22 provides another version of this psalm. Second Samuel 22:1 tells us David composed Psalm 18 on the day the Lord delivered him from his enemies and Saul. Second Samuel 19 reports David's victorious return to Jerusalem after David vanquished his enemies.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.