Psalms 18:38

Translation
King James Version
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
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KJV (with Strong's)
I have wounded H4272 them that they were not able H3201 to rise H6965: they are fallen H5307 under my feet H7272.
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Complete Jewish Bible
I crushed them, so that they can't get up; they have fallen under my feet.
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Berean Standard Bible
I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.
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American Standard Version
I will smite them through, so that they shall not be able to rise: They shall fall under my feet.
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World English Bible Messianic
I will strike them through, so that they will not be able to rise. They shall fall under my feet.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
I haue wounded them, that they were not able to rise: they are fallen vnder my feete.
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Young's Literal Translation
I smite them, and they are not able to rise, They fall under my feet,
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See also
2 Samuel 22:39Psalms 36:122 Samuel 8:12 Samuel 8:181 Samuel 23:5Psalms 47:32 Samuel 18:7
In the KJVVerse 14,157 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 18:38 presents a powerful declaration from King David, celebrating the decisive and comprehensive victory granted to him by God over his adversaries. This verse vividly portrays the complete incapacitation and utter subjugation of his enemies, who are depicted as irrevocably defeated and unable to recover. It stands as a testament to the Lord's mighty deliverance and the finality of His triumph on behalf of His anointed king, showcasing divine power in overcoming all opposition.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 18:38 is embedded within a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise, attributed to David, which recounts God's powerful deliverance from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul. This psalm is also found, with minor variations, in 2 Samuel 22, underscoring its historical significance and theological depth. The verses immediately preceding this one detail God's active and dramatic involvement in David's battles, describing Him as a mighty warrior whose very presence shakes the earth and whose arrows scatter the foe, as seen in Psalms 18:7-15. God is depicted as the one who equips David for war, making his feet like hinds' feet and setting him on high places, as described in Psalms 18:32-34. Following verse 38, David continues to elaborate on the pursuit and destruction of his foes, emphasizing their utter defeat and his establishment as the head of nations, all by divine power, which is further expounded in Psalms 18:39-43. The entire psalm serves as a profound testimony to God's covenant faithfulness and His active, protective role in the life of His chosen king.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: This psalm directly reflects David's tumultuous life as a warrior king, a period consistently marked by intense conflict with both internal and external enemies. These adversaries included King Saul, the Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, and Arameans. In the ancient Near Eastern world, warfare was often brutal, decisive, and highly symbolic. The imagery employed in Psalms 18:38—of enemies being "not able to rise" and "fallen under my feet"—was a common and exceptionally powerful idiom for complete subjugation and triumph. Conquerors in this era would frequently perform a literal act of placing their foot on the neck or back of a defeated enemy to publicly symbolize absolute dominion, humiliation, and the utter incapacitation of the vanquished. This act visually demonstrated that the opponent was entirely powerless, unable to recover, or pose any future threat. Therefore, the psalm celebrates not merely a military victory, but a divinely orchestrated, comprehensive, and irreversible defeat of all opposition to God's chosen king, emphasizing the cultural understanding of total conquest.

  • Key Themes: Psalms 18:38 contributes significantly to several major themes woven throughout the psalm and the broader book of Psalms. Primarily, it powerfully underscores Divine Empowerment and Victory, asserting that David's military prowess and success are not products of his own strength, but are entirely a gift and direct intervention from God. The Lord is consistently portrayed as the one who trains David's hands for war and strengthens his arms, as explicitly stated in Psalms 18:34. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of Total and Irrevocable Defeat of God's enemies. The stark language of "not able to rise" and "fallen under my feet" vividly communicates the completeness and finality of the victory, instilling a profound sense of security and peace for God's people. Finally, Psalms 18:38 stands as a powerful testament to God's Faithfulness and Deliverance. It showcases His unwavering commitment to protect and deliver His anointed one from all who seek to harm him, thereby vindicating His righteous servant. This theme resonates deeply throughout the Psalms, where the righteous often cry out for deliverance, and God consistently answers, as exemplified in Psalms 3:7-8.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Wounded (Hebrew, mâchats', H4272): This verb (H4272, מָחַץ) is a primitive root meaning "to dash asunder," "to crush," "to smash," or "to violently plunge." By implication, it means "to subdue" or "to destroy." It signifies a blow so severe and impactful that it is utterly incapacitating, often leading to destruction or death. In this context, it speaks to the comprehensive and destructive nature of the defeat inflicted upon David's enemies, rendering them utterly helpless and broken.
  • Rise (Hebrew, qûwm', H6965): This verb (H6965, קוּם) is a primitive root meaning "to rise," "to stand up," or "to get up." It can refer to physical rising, but also to establishing, confirming, or enduring. In the phrase "not able to rise," it emphasizes the complete inability of the enemies to recover, regain their footing, or mount any further resistance. Their defeat is so absolute that all power to stand or act has been removed.
  • Feet (Hebrew, regel', H7272): This noun (H7272, רֶגֶל) literally means "a foot" (as used in walking) and by implication, "a step." In the context of "under my feet," it is part of a powerful idiom signifying absolute dominion and subjugation. The foot represents power, authority, and control, and to have enemies under one's feet means they are utterly crushed, humiliated, and subject to the victor's will.

Verse Breakdown

  • "I have wounded them that they were not able to rise:" This clause declares the decisive and destructive action taken against the enemies. The "I" refers to David, but critically, as the divinely empowered instrument of God's might. The wounding is portrayed as so profound and incapacitating that it completely removes any possibility of recovery, resurgence, or counterattack from the adversaries. It signifies a complete and permanent disablement of the opposing force, ensuring they can no longer pose a threat to David or the kingdom.
  • "they are fallen under my feet." This second clause powerfully reinforces the totality of the victory through a vivid and well-understood ancient Near Eastern idiom. To have enemies "fallen under one's feet" symbolizes absolute conquest, complete subjugation, and undeniable dominion. It evokes the literal image of a victor treading upon a defeated foe, signifying utter humiliation, complete control, and the irreversible end of their power and influence. This is the ultimate sign of triumph, mastery, and the vanquished's abject surrender.

Literary Devices

Psalms 18:38 employs powerful Imagery and Metaphor to convey the completeness and finality of David's victory. The phrase "not able to rise" creates a stark visual of an enemy utterly incapacitated, unable to regain their footing, mount a defense, or recover from the blow. This visual is intensified and reinforced by the highly symbolic Idiom "fallen under my feet," which is a common and potent ancient Near Eastern expression for absolute subjugation and triumph. This idiom was often depicted in ancient art where a king literally places his foot on the neck or back of a conquered foe, signifying their utter defeat and humiliation. The intensity of the language and imagery can also be seen as Hyperbole, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the defeat and leaving no doubt as to the finality of the victory. Furthermore, the verse functions as a confident Declaration, a definitive statement of accomplished fact, underscoring David's unwavering assurance in God's power to deliver and vindicate.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse, while rooted in David's historical triumphs as God's anointed king, carries profound theological weight, speaking to the very nature of divine victory over evil, sin, and all forms of opposition. It asserts that when God acts on behalf of His chosen one, the defeat of adversaries is not partial or temporary, but absolute, comprehensive, and irreversible. This demonstrates God's supreme sovereignty over all earthly powers and His unwavering commitment to uphold His covenant promises, ensuring the ultimate triumph of righteousness and His divine purpose. The verse thus foreshadows a greater, ultimate victory over all spiritual and physical enemies, establishing God's eternal kingdom and the everlasting reign of His anointed King, the Messiah.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While David's battles were physical and his enemies literal, Psalms 18:38 offers profound spiritual insights and encouragement for believers today. We are called to engage in spiritual warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil, against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, as described in Ephesians 6:12. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our ability to overcome sin, temptation, spiritual attacks, and the schemes of the enemy comes not from our own limited might or strategic prowess, but entirely from God's omnipotent power working through us. It assures us that through Christ, decisive and complete victory over spiritual opposition is not merely a hope but a reality, because the enemy is ultimately defeated and disarmed. We can trust that God will enable us to stand firm, resist evil, and overcome obstacles in our lives, ensuring that we are not utterly defeated by the challenges we face. This truth encourages us to rely fully on God for triumph in every area where we encounter resistance to His righteous will and to walk in the confident assurance of His ultimate, unfailing victory.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what specific areas of your life do you currently feel "under attack" or overwhelmed by opposition, whether internal or external?
  • How does the vivid imagery of enemies being "unable to rise" and "fallen under my feet" encourage and empower you in your ongoing spiritual battles against sin, temptation, or discouragement?
  • What practical steps can you take this week to intentionally rely more fully on God's strength for victory, rather than attempting to overcome challenges in your own limited power?

FAQ

Does this verse promote violence or vengeance for believers today?

Answer: While Psalms 18:38 vividly describes King David's physical victories over his literal human enemies, its primary purpose within the psalm is to celebrate God's mighty deliverance and divine power, not to endorse personal violence or vengeance for believers in the New Covenant era. For the follower of Christ, the "enemies" are primarily understood as spiritual forces of evil, the power of sin, and the dominion of death, rather than human adversaries, as clearly articulated in Ephesians 6:12. The victory we are called to seek is over these spiritual foes, and it is achieved not through physical aggression or earthly warfare, but through Christ's redemptive work on the cross and our reliance on the Holy Spirit. The powerful imagery of decisive and complete defeat, however, still applies, assuring us that God grants ultimate triumph over all forms of evil and spiritual opposition.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 18:38 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king and a "man after God's own heart," was a powerful type and shadow of the Messiah, and his earthly victories foreshadowed the greater, definitive, and cosmic triumph of Christ over all His enemies. While David's conquests were earthly and physical, Christ's victory is infinitely more expansive, encompassing both spiritual and eternal dimensions. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus decisively "wounded" and rendered utterly powerless sin, death, and the devil, ensuring they are "not able to rise" again to hold humanity captive or to exercise their former dominion, as powerfully declared in Hebrews 2:14. The vivid imagery of enemies "fallen under my feet" perfectly anticipates the New Testament declaration that Christ must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet, a truth central to the eschatological hope of the church found in 1 Corinthians 15:25. Indeed, the Lord Jesus has already triumphed over principalities and powers, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in the cross, as Colossians 2:15 proclaims. Thus, David's ancient song of victory becomes a prophetic hymn to the decisive, eternal, and universal dominion of the Lamb of God, who has conquered all opposition and established His everlasting kingdom, a reign that will culminate in His glorious return as the Rider on the White Horse, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as revealed in Revelation 19:11-16.

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Commentary on Psalms 18 verses 29–50

In these verses,

I. David looks back, with thankfulness, upon the great things which God had done for him. He had not only wrought deliverance for him, but had given him victory and success, and made him triumph over those who thought to triumph over him. When we set ourselves to praise God for one mercy we must be led by that to observe the many more with which we have been compassed about, and followed, all our days. Many things had contributed to David's advancement, and he owns the hand of God in them all, to teach us to do likewise, in reviewing the several steps by which we have risen to our prosperity. 1. God had given him all his skill and understanding in military affairs, which he was not bred up to nor designed for, his genius leading him more to music, and poetry, and a contemplative life: He teaches my hands to war, Psa 18:34. 2. God had given him bodily strength to go through the business and fatigue of war: God girded him with strength (Psa 18:32, Psa 18:39), to such a degree that he could break even a bow of steel, Psa 18:34. What service God designs men for he will be sure to fit them for. 3. God had likewise given him great swiftness, not to flee from the enemies but to fly upon them (Psa 18:33): He makes my feet like hinds' feet, Psa 18:36. "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; but" (whereas those that take large steps are apt to tread awry) "my feet did not slip." He was so swift that he pursued his enemies and overtook them, Psa 18:37. 4. God had made him very bold and daring in his enterprises, and given him spirit proportionable to his strength. If a troop stood in his way, he made nothing of running through them; if a wall, he made nothing of leaping over it (Psa 18:29); if ramparts and bulwarks, he soon mounted them, and by divine assistance set his feet upon the high places of the enemy, Psa 18:33. 5. God had protected him, and kept him safe, in the midst of the greatest perils. Many a time he put his life in his hand, and yet it was wonderfully preserved: "Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation (Psa 18:35), and that has compassed me on every side. By that I have been delivered from the strivings of the people who aimed at my destruction (Psa 18:43), particularly from the violent man" (Psa 18:48), that is, Saul, who more than once threw a javelin at him. 6. God had prospered him in his designs; he it was that made his way perfect (Psa 18:32) and it was his right hand that held him up, Psa 18:35. 7. God had given him victory over his enemies, the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, and all that fought against Israel: those especially he means, yet not excluding the house of Saul, which opposed his coming to the crown, and the partisans of Absalom and Sheba, who would have deposed him. He enlarges much upon the goodness of God to him in defeating his enemies, attributing his victories, not to his own sword or bow, nor to the valour of his mighty men, but to the favour of God: I pursued them (Psa 18:37), I wounded them (Psa 18:38); for thou hast girded me with strength (Psa 18:39), else I could not have done it. All the praise is ascribed to God: Thou hast subdued them under me, Psa 18:39. Thou hast given me their necks (Psa 18:40), not only to trample upon them (as Jos 10:24), but to cut them off. Even those who hated David whom God loved, and were enemies to the Israel of God, in their distress cried unto the Lord: but in vain; he answered them not. How could they expect he should when it was he whom they fought against? And, when he disowned them (as he will all those that act against his people), no other succours could stand them in stead: There was none to save them, Psa 18:41. Those whom God has abandoned are easily vanquished: Then did I beat them small as the dust, Psa 18:42. But those whose cause is just he avenges (Psa 18:47), and those whom he favours will certainly be lifted up above those that rise up against them, Psa 18:48. 8. God had raised him to the throne, and not only delivered him and kept him alive, but dignified him and made him great (Psa 18:35): Thy gentleness has increased me - thy discipline and instruction; so some. The good lessons David learned in his affliction prepared him for the dignity and power that were intended him; and the lessening of him helped very much to increase his greatness. God made him not only a great conqueror, but a great ruler: Thou hast made me the head of the heathen (Psa 18:43); all the neighbouring nations were tributaries to him. See Sa2 8:6, Sa2 8:11. In all this David was a type of Christ, whom the Father brought safely through his conflicts with the powers of darkness, and made victorious over them, and gave to be head over all things to his church, which is his body.

II. David looks up with humble and reverent adorations of the divine glory and perfection. When God had, by his providence, magnified him, he endeavours, with his praises, to magnify God, to bless him and exalt him, Psa 18:46. He gives honour to him, 1. As a living God: The Lord liveth, Psa 18:46. We had our lives at first from, and we owe the continuance of them to, that God who has life in himself and is therefore fitly called the living God. The gods of the heathen were dead gods. The best friends we have among men are dying friends. But God lives, lives for ever, and will not fail those that trust in him, but, because he lives, they shall live also; for he is their life. 2. As a finishing God: As for God, he is not only perfect himself, but his way is perfect, Psa 18:30. He is known by his name Jehovah (Exo 6:3), a God performing and perfecting what he begins in providence as well as creation, Gen 2:1. If it was God that made David's way perfect (Psa 18:32), much more is his own way so. There is no flaw in God's works, nor any fault to be found with what he does, Ecc 3:14. And what he undertakes he will go through with, whatever difficulties lie in the way; what God begins to build he is able to finish. 3. As a faithful God: The word of the Lord is tried. "I have tried it" (says David), "and it has not failed me." All the saints, in all ages, have tried it, and it never failed any that trusted in it. It is tried as silver is tried, refined from all such mixture and alloy as lessen the value of men's words. David, in God's providences concerning him, takes notice of the performance of his promises to him, which, as it puts sweetness into the providence, so it puts honour upon the promise. 4. As the protector and defender of his people. David had found him so to him: "He is the God of my salvation (Psa 18:46), by whose power and grace I am and hope to be saved; but not of mine only: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him (Psa 18:30); he shelters and protects them all, is both able and ready to do so." 5. As a non-such in all this, Psa 18:31. There is a God, and who is God save Jehovah? That God is a rock, for the support and shelter of his faithful worshippers; and who is a rock save our God? Thus he not only gives glory to God, but encourages his own faith in him. Note, (1.) Whoever pretends to be deities, it is certain that there is no God, save the Lord; all others are counterfeits, Isa 44:8; Jer 10:10. (2.) Whoever pretends to be our felicities, there is no rock, save our God; none that we can depend upon to make us happy.

III. David looks forward, with a believing hope that God would still do him good. He promises himself, 1. That his enemies should be completely subdued, and that those of them that yet remained should be made his footstool, - that his government should be extensive, so that even a people whom he had not known should serve him (Psa 18:43), - that his conquests, and, consequently, his acquests, should be easy (As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me, Psa 18:44), - and that his enemies should be convinced that it was to no purpose to oppose him; even those that had retired to their fastnesses should not trust to them, but be afraid out of their close places, having seen so much of David's wisdom, courage, and success. Thus the Son of David, though he sees not yet all things put under him, yet knows he shall reign till all opposing rule, principality, and power shall be quite put down. 2. That his seed should be forever continued in the Messiah, who, he foresaw, should come from his loins, Psa 18:50. He shows mercy to his anointed, his Messiah, to David himself, the anointed of the God of Jacob in the type, and to his seed for evermore. He saith not unto seeds, as of many, but to his seed, as of one, that is Christ, Gal 3:16. It is he only that shall reign for ever, and of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end. Christ is called David, Hos 3:5. God has called him his king, Psa 2:6. Great deliverance God does give, and will give to him, and to his church and people, here called his seed, for evermore.

In singing these verses we must give God the glory of the victories of Christ and his church hitherto and of all the deliverances and advancements of the gospel kingdom, and encourage ourselves and one another with an assurance that the church militant will be shortly triumphant, will be eternally so.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 29–50. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 18
"I will break them, and they shall not be able to stand" [Psalm 18:38]: and they shall not hold out against me. "They shall fall under my feet." When they are cast down, I will place before me the loves whereby I walk for evermore.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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