Psalms 132:18

His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

His enemies {H341} will I clothe {H3847} with shame {H1322}: but upon himself shall his crown {H5145} flourish {H6692}.

His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him there will be a shining crown."

I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam.”

His enemies will I clothe with shame; But upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 132:18 (KJV)

Psalms 132:18 concludes a powerful psalm of promise and hope, focusing on God's unwavering commitment to the Davidic line and His chosen dwelling place in Zion. This verse vividly contrasts the fate of God's enemies with the enduring glory of His anointed king.

Context

Psalm 132 is a "Song of Ascents," likely sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. It begins with David's earnest desire to find a permanent resting place for the Ark of the Covenant (Psalms 132:1-5), which symbolized God's presence. The psalm then transitions into God's response, reiterating His covenant promises to David—an enduring dynasty and a perpetual lamp for his descendants (2 Samuel 7:16). God also reaffirms His choice of Zion as His dwelling place, promising to bless its provisions, clothe its priests with salvation, and make the horn of David to bud (Psalms 132:13-17). Verse 18 serves as the climactic assurance of triumph for God's chosen one and judgment for His adversaries.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: The phrase "His enemies will I clothe with shame" signifies a public and undeniable disgrace for those who oppose God's plan and His appointed king. This is a divine declaration, emphasizing God's active role in bringing about this humiliation. The imagery of "clothing" implies a complete and inescapable covering of shame, leaving no room for concealment.
  • Enduring Royal Authority and Prosperity: In stark contrast, "but upon himself shall his crown flourish" speaks of the lasting vitality, success, and authority of the anointed king. The "crown" symbolizes royalty and power, and to "flourish" means to thrive, blossom, and endure with vigor. This promise points beyond any earthly king to the ultimate King, the Messiah, whose reign would be eternal and glorious (Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:33).
  • God's Faithfulness to His Covenant: This verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to the Davidic Covenant. Despite opposition, God ensures the triumph of His chosen one and the fulfillment of His promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "flourish" (יָצִיץ, yatzitz) evokes imagery of a plant blossoming or sprouting. It suggests not just static existence but dynamic growth, vitality, and renewal. This contrasts sharply with the static, humiliating "clothing" of shame for the enemies, indicating a living, vibrant authority for the king.

Practical Application

Psalms 132:18 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers today.

  • Hope in Christ's Victory: Ultimately, this verse finds its fullest realization in Jesus Christ, the Son of David. His crown, representing His eternal kingdom and authority, truly flourishes. All His enemies—sin, death, and the devil—have been put to shame through His crucifixion and resurrection (Colossians 2:15).
  • Assurance of God's Justice: For those who trust in God's anointed, there is an assurance that divine justice will prevail. While the wicked may seem to prosper temporarily, their end is shame and ruin.
  • Encouragement for the Righteous: Believers are encouraged to persevere, knowing that God upholds His promises and will ultimately vindicate His people and His truth. The triumph of righteousness is assured.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 35:26

    Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify [themselves] against me.

  • Job 8:22

    They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

  • Psalms 21:8

    Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.

  • Psalms 21:9

    Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

  • Psalms 72:8

    He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

  • Psalms 72:11

    Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

  • Revelation 11:15

    And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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