Psalms 18:29

KJV

¶ For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

KJV (with Strong's)

For by thee I have run through {H7323} a troop {H1416}; and by my God {H430} have I leaped over {H1801} a wall {H7791}.

Complete Jewish Bible

With you I can run through a whole troop of men, with my God I can leap a wall.

Berean Standard Bible

For in You I can charge an army, and with my God I can scale a wall.

American Standard Version

For by thee I run upon a troop; And by my God do I leap over a wall.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 18:29 is a profound declaration of King David's absolute reliance on God for supernatural strength and victory against overwhelming odds. This verse powerfully encapsulates the theme of divine enablement, where human limitations and seemingly insurmountable obstacles are decisively overcome not by personal might, but by the omnipotent power and active intervention of God, resulting in extraordinary triumphs.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 18 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise, attributed to David "in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." This superscription immediately sets the stage for a narrative of divine rescue and vindication. The psalm is a lengthy and detailed recounting of God's mighty acts on David's behalf, portraying the Lord as a majestic warrior who descends from heaven to save His anointed. It begins with David's passionate declaration of love for God ([Psalms 18:1](/psalms/18-1 "Psalm 18:1 - David's Love for God")), then moves into a vivid description of his distress and desperate cry for help ([Psalms 18:4-6](/psalms/18-4 "Psalm 18:4-6 - David's Distress and Cry")), followed by an awe-inspiring depiction of God's dramatic intervention ([Psalms 18:7-19](/psalms/18-7 "Psalm 18:7-19 - God's Theophany and Deliverance")). Verse 29 falls within a section where David celebrates the specific ways God empowered him for battle and granted him victory, transitioning from general praise to concrete examples of divine assistance. This psalm is also preserved, with minor variations, as a parallel account in [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance"), underscoring its historical significance within David's life narrative.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was characterized by constant warfare and political intrigue, from his early days as a fugitive fleeing Saul to his reign as king, defending Israel against surrounding nations like the Philistines, Ammonites, and Arameans. The imagery of "running through a troop" and "leaping over a wall" directly reflects the realities of ancient Near Eastern warfare. "Troops" (Hebrew: *gedud*) often referred to raiding bands or organized military units, and breaking through such a formation would be a testament to overwhelming force or divine intervention. "Walls" (*shur*) were critical defensive structures for cities and strongholds, representing formidable, often impenetrable, barriers. Overcoming such a wall, especially by "leaping," suggests a miraculous or superhuman feat, far beyond typical siege warfare. David's enemies were numerous and powerful, and his survival and success were often attributed to God's direct involvement, as seen throughout the historical books of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of David") and [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel - The Reign of David"). This verse, therefore, is not merely poetic hyperbole but a reflection of David's lived experience of God's tangible presence in his battles for survival and the establishment of his kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** This verse is a powerful microcosm of several key themes running through Psalm 18 and indeed, David's entire life and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Enablement** is paramount; David explicitly states that his extraordinary feats are "by thee" and "by my God," emphasizing that his strength and capability are not inherent but derived from God. This theme resonates with the idea that true power for overcoming obstacles comes from a divine source, as also seen in [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Overcoming the Impossible**. "Running through a troop" and "leaping over a wall" are vivid, almost hyperbolic, images that convey the idea of achieving what is humanly unachievable, breaking through formidable opposition and surmounting insurmountable barriers. This speaks to God's ability to make a way where there seems to be no way. Thirdly, the theme of **God as the Source of Victory** is central. David consistently attributes his triumphs to the Lord, reinforcing the message that God is his strength, deliverer, and fortress ([Psalms 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - God as David's Strength")). This fosters a spirit of humble dependence and grateful praise, acknowledging God's sovereignty over all circumstances. Finally, the verse implicitly speaks to **Faith and Trust**, as David's ability to act boldly in the face of adversity stems from his unwavering confidence that God would empower him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Run through (Hebrew, _ruts'_):** The verb רוץ (*ruts*) means "to run." In this context, "run through a troop" implies not merely running past, but actively engaging and decisively breaking through or routing an organized military formation. It suggests a swift, powerful, and unhindered advance, indicative of overwhelming divine assistance enabling David to penetrate and overcome enemy lines.
* **Troop (Hebrew, _g'dud'_):** The noun גדוד (*g'dud*) refers to a raiding band, a military troop, or a company. It signifies an organized group of adversaries. The imagery of running *through* such a group emphasizes the complete disruption and defeat of a collective enemy force, rather than just an individual skirmish.
* **Leaped over (Hebrew, _dalag'_):** The verb דלג (*dalag*) means "to leap" or "to spring over." This word conveys agility, swiftness, and an almost effortless overcoming of a barrier. It suggests an action that defies normal physical limitations, implying supernatural enablement.
* **Wall (Hebrew, _shur'_):** The noun שור (*shur*) denotes a wall, especially a city wall or rampart. Such structures were designed to be impenetrable and represented significant obstacles in ancient warfare. To "leap over" a wall is an extraordinary feat, symbolizing the conquering of a seemingly insurmountable physical or strategic barrier.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For by thee I have run through a troop":** This clause immediately establishes the source of David's extraordinary capability: "by thee," referring directly to God. The act of "running through a troop" signifies a decisive and complete victory over a collective, organized enemy force. It implies not just a triumph, but one achieved with such ease and power that it suggests divine empowerment, allowing David to penetrate and scatter what would otherwise be an overwhelming human obstacle. This is a testament to God's active involvement in David's military campaigns, granting him supernatural strength and strategic advantage.
* **"and by my God have I leaped over a wall":** This parallel clause reiterates and reinforces the theme of divine enablement, using the synonymous phrase "by my God." "Leaping over a wall" represents the overcoming of a formidable, seemingly impenetrable barrier. Walls symbolized security for the enemy and insurmountable obstacles for the attacker. David's ability to "leap over" such a structure suggests an effortless, almost miraculous, transcendence of physical and strategic limitations, again solely attributable to God's power. Together, these two clauses paint a vivid picture of God empowering David to conquer both active military opposition and static, defensive fortifications that would normally halt any human advance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 18:29 is rich in **Imagery**, painting vivid pictures of David's military exploits. The phrases "run through a troop" and "leaped over a wall" are potent **Metaphors** for overcoming immense opposition and insurmountable obstacles, extending beyond literal military contexts to any challenge in life. The seemingly impossible nature of these actions also employs **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary, divinely enabled victories David experienced. The verse utilizes strong **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("by my God have I leaped over a wall") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first ("by thee I have run through a troop"). This repetition not only adds poetic rhythm but also amplifies the central message of divine enablement. Furthermore, the explicit attribution "by thee" and "by my God" highlights the **Theocentricity** of David's worldview, where God is the singular source of all power and success.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 18:29 powerfully articulates the biblical truth that God is the ultimate source of strength and victory for His people, enabling them to accomplish what is humanly impossible. This verse underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over human affairs and the efficacy of trusting in God's power rather than one's own. It connects to the broader theological concept of God as a warrior who fights for His people, a theme prevalent from the Exodus narrative to the prophetic books. David's experience is a testament to God's faithfulness to those who walk in integrity and rely on Him, demonstrating that no enemy or obstacle is too great for the Lord. This divine enablement is not a license for human passivity but an assurance that when we act in faith, God's power will manifest to achieve His purposes through us, transforming our weaknesses into instruments of His glory.

* [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - The Lord Your God Will Fight For You")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not By Might Nor By Power")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 18:29 offers profound encouragement for believers facing contemporary challenges, reminding us that the same God who empowered David is active in our lives today. Our "troops" might be overwhelming anxieties, chronic illnesses, relational conflicts, financial crises, or spiritual battles, while our "walls" could be seemingly impenetrable habits, deep-seated fears, societal injustices, or professional roadblocks. This verse calls us to shift our focus from the daunting nature of our obstacles to the limitless power of our God. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humble dependence, recognizing that our greatest victories and breakthroughs come not from our own ingenuity or strength, but from surrendering to God's empowering presence. When we face situations that seem impossible, this verse invites us to pray with bold faith, believing that God can enable us to "run through" opposition and "leap over" barriers that would otherwise defeat us. It fosters a spirit of resilience and hope, knowing that with God, no situation is truly insurmountable, and He delights in demonstrating His strength through our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "troops" or "walls" are you currently facing that seem insurmountable in your own strength?**
* **How does this verse challenge your perspective on personal limitations and God's omnipotence?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to rely more fully on God for divine enablement?**
* **How can you practically apply the principle of attributing your successes and breakthroughs to God?**

### FAQ

**Does "run through a troop" and "leaped over a wall" refer to literal events or are they figurative?**

Answer: While David was a literal warrior who engaged in many battles and sieges, the language in Psalms 18:29 is highly poetic and likely employs a degree of **hyperbole** and **metaphor** to emphasize the extraordinary, divinely-enabled nature of his victories. It's not necessarily about a single, specific instance where he literally vaulted over a city wall or single-handedly charged through an entire army. Instead, these vivid images collectively represent David's consistent experience of God granting him supernatural strength, agility, and strategic advantage to overcome formidable military opposition and seemingly impenetrable obstacles throughout his life. The point is the *source* of the power ("by thee," "by my God"), not the precise literalness of every action. It conveys that with God, what is humanly impossible becomes possible.

**How is this verse relevant to believers today who are not engaged in physical warfare?**

Answer: Psalms 18:29 is profoundly relevant for believers today, even without literal battles. The "troops" and "walls" can be understood metaphorically as any overwhelming challenge, opposition, or barrier we face in life. This includes spiritual battles against temptation or evil forces ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Is Not Against Flesh and Blood")), emotional struggles like anxiety or depression, relational conflicts, financial difficulties, career obstacles, or even personal habits that seem impossible to break. The core message remains the same: our ability to overcome these "impossible" situations comes not from our own strength or willpower, but "by God." It encourages us to rely on God's empowering Spirit to navigate life's complexities, break through limitations, and achieve victory in areas where we are naturally weak. It's a powerful reminder that [with God, all things are possible](/matthew/19-26 "Matthew 19:26 - With God All Things Are Possible").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 18:29, rooted in David's experience of divine enablement, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, as the anointed king, foreshadowed the greater King, Jesus, who truly "ran through a troop" and "leaped over a wall" in a cosmic and redemptive sense. Christ's life was a continuous demonstration of divine power overcoming impossible odds: He "ran through" the "troop" of sin and death, decisively defeating their power on the cross and through His resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He "leaped over the wall" of humanity's separation from God, bridging the chasm through His atoning sacrifice ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). Where David's victories were temporal and limited, Christ's triumph is eternal and universal, securing salvation for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Furthermore, just as God empowered David, Christ, through the Holy Spirit, empowers believers to overcome their own "troops" and "walls" of sin, temptation, and worldly opposition. We are called to "do all things through Christ who strengthens us" ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")), participating in His victory and experiencing His divine enablement in our daily lives, reflecting the power of the One who has already overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - I Have Overcome the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 22:30

For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Ephesians 6:10

¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:13

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Revelation 3:21

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Colossians 2:15

[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.