Psalms 18:42

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I pulverized them like dust in the wind, threw them out like mud in the streets.

Berean Standard Bible:

I ground them as dust in the face of the wind; I trampled them like mud in the streets.

American Standard Version:

Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then did I beat^{H7833} them small as the dust^{H6083} before^{H6440} the wind^{H7307}: I did cast them out^{H7324} as the dirt^{H2916} in the streets^{H2351}.

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Commentary for Psalms 18:42

Psalm 18:42 is part of a larger psalm attributed to David, traditionally understood to be King David of Israel. This particular verse falls within a section of the psalm where David is exalting in his deliverance from his enemies by God. The themes present in this verse include divine intervention, victory over adversaries, and the complete subjugation of foes.

Historically, the psalm is thought to reflect a period in David's life when he was facing severe opposition, possibly from Saul or from his own son Absalom during the rebellion. The verse itself uses vivid imagery to express the totality of the victory granted by God. The metaphor of beating enemies "small as the dust before the wind" suggests that they were scattered and rendered powerless, while "casting them out as the dirt in the streets" implies a complete removal of their presence and threat.

In the broader context of the Ancient Near East, such language would have been understood as hyperbolic, emphasizing the might of the victor's god over the gods of the defeated. It serves as a testament to the power of Yahweh, the God of Israel, and as a declaration of thanksgiving for His support in battle. This verse, like many in the Psalms, also reflects the personal faith of the psalmist, affirming that individual trust in God can lead to triumph over seemingly insurmountable challenges.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7833
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁחַק
   Transliteration: shâchaq
   Pronunciation: shaw-khak'
   Description: a primitive root; to comminate (by trituration or attrition); beat, wear.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6083
   There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָפָר
   Transliteration: ʻâphâr
   Pronunciation: aw-fawr'
   Description: from עָפַר; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud; ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7307
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּחַ
   Transliteration: rûwach
   Pronunciation: roo'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
   
5. Strong's Number: H7324
   There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּק
   Transliteration: rûwq
   Pronunciation: rook
   Description: a primitive root; to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty; [idiom] arm, cast out, draw (out), (make) empty, pour forth (out).
   
6. Strong's Number: H2916
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טִיט
   Transliteration: ṭîyṭ
   Pronunciation: teet
   Description: from an unused root meaning apparently to be sticky (rather perb. a demonstrative); from טוּא, through the idea of dirt to be swept away); mud or clay; figuratively, calamity; clay, dirt, mire.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2351
   There are 159 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוּץ
   Transliteration: chûwts
   Pronunciation: khoots
   Description: or (shortened) חֻץ; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without.