Psalm 18:48 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence.

NIV: who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me.

NASB: He rescues me from my enemies; You indeed lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from a violent man.

CSB: He frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my adversaries; you rescue me from violent men.

NLT: and rescues me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents.

KJV: He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

NKJV: He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.

Because the Lord delivered David from his enemies, it was apparent that David's prominence exceeded that of his enemies. The Lord had made him great. Saul was an example of the violent men who hunted David, and he tried several times to kill David. Yet those efforts failed, because the Lord kept David safe (1 Samuel 18:6–11; 19:8–11).

When Jesus, the Son of David, lived on earth, there were several unsuccessful attempts to kill Him. Herod tried to kill Jesus when Jesus was an infant (Matthew 2:16). Angry Jews tried to kill Him because they thought He had committed blasphemy. They picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus eluded them (John 8:48–59). The Pharisees conspired unsuccessfully to kill Him (Matthew 12:14–15). Only when Jesus surrendered His life voluntarily on the cross, did He experience death (Luke 23:46). However, three days later God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 4:24–25).

Psalm 18:46–50 is the closing section of this song of praise. Here, David raises a crescendo of acclaim to the Lord. He addresses the Lord as his rock and the God of his salvation. Then he rehearses what the Lord did for him. Second Samuel 22:47–51 is a parallel passage. These words of praise were written when the Lord delivered David from his enemies and from Saul (2 Samuel 22:1). Romans 15:9–12 refers to praise to the Lord, and verse 9 quotes Psalm 18:49.

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.

Accessed 4/29/2024 12:24:33 AM