Psalms 18:38

KJV

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I crushed them, so that they can't get up; they have fallen under my feet.

Berean Standard Bible

I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

American Standard Version

I will smite them through, so that they shall not be able to rise: They shall fall under my feet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 18:38 is a triumphant declaration from King David, expressing the decisive and overwhelming victory granted to him by God over his adversaries. It vividly portrays the complete incapacitation and subjugation of his enemies, who are depicted as utterly defeated and unable to recover, symbolizing the Lord's mighty deliverance and the finality of His triumph on behalf of His anointed one.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 18:38 is situated 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](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance"). The preceding verses detail God's active involvement in David's battles, describing Him as a mighty warrior ([Psalms 18:7-15](/psalms/18-7 "Psalm 18:7-15 - God's Theophany in Battle")) who equips David for war ([Psalms 18:32-34](/psalms/18-32 "Psalm 18:32-34 - God Equips for Battle")). Following verse 38, David continues to describe the pursuit and destruction of his foes, emphasizing their utter defeat and his establishment as the head of nations, all by divine power ([Psalms 18:39-43](/psalms/18-39 "Psalm 18:39-43 - The Extent of David's Victory")). The entire psalm is a testimony to God's covenant faithfulness and His active role in the life of His king.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm reflects David's tumultuous life as a warrior king, marked by constant conflict with internal and external enemies, including King Saul, the Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, and Arameans. In the ancient Near Eastern world, warfare was brutal and decisive. The imagery of enemies being "not able to rise" and "fallen under my feet" was a common and powerful idiom for complete subjugation and triumph. Conquerors would often literally place their foot on the neck or back of a defeated enemy to symbolize absolute dominion and humiliation. This act demonstrated that the vanquished opponent was utterly powerless, unable to recover, or pose any future threat. The psalm, therefore, celebrates not merely a military victory, but a divinely orchestrated, comprehensive defeat of all opposition to God's chosen king.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 18:38 contributes significantly to several major themes within the psalm and the broader book of Psalms. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Empowerment and Victory**, asserting that David's military prowess and success are not his own, but entirely a gift from God. The Lord is the one who trains his hands for war and strengthens his arms ([Psalms 18:34](/psalms/18-34 "Psalm 18:34 - God Trains for Battle")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Total and Irrevocable Defeat** of God's enemies. The language of "not able to rise" and "fallen under my feet" vividly communicates the completeness and finality of the victory, bringing a sense of security and peace. Finally, the verse is a powerful testament to **God's Faithfulness and Deliverance**, showcasing 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 throughout the Psalms, where the righteous often cry out for deliverance and God consistently answers ([Psalms 3:7-8](/psalms/3-7 "Psalm 3:7-8 - God's Deliverance")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wounded (Hebrew, _māḥaṣ'_):** This verb (מָחַץ) carries a strong and violent connotation, meaning "to strike through," "to shatter," "to crush," or "to smite decisively." It implies a blow so severe that it is incapacitating and often fatal. In this context, it speaks to the comprehensive and destructive nature of the defeat inflicted upon David's enemies, rendering them utterly helpless.
* **Fallen (Hebrew, _nāphal'_):** The verb (נָפַל) means "to fall," often indicating a collapse due to defeat, death, or inability to stand. Here, in conjunction with "under my feet," it emphasizes the complete prostration and submission of the adversaries. It's not merely a stumble, but a definitive collapse from which there is no recovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have wounded them that they were not able to rise:"** This clause declares the decisive action taken against the enemies. The "I" refers to David, but as an instrument of God's power. The wounding is so profound and incapacitating that it removes any possibility of recovery or counterattack. It signifies a complete and permanent disablement of the opposing force, ensuring they can no longer pose a threat.
* **"they are fallen under my feet."** This second clause reinforces the totality of the victory through a vivid, ancient Near Eastern idiom. To have enemies "fallen under one's feet" symbolizes absolute conquest, subjugation, and dominion. It evokes the image of a victor treading upon a defeated foe, signifying humiliation, complete control, and the irreversible end of their power. This is the ultimate sign of triumph and mastery.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 18:38 employs powerful **Imagery** and **Metaphor** to convey the completeness of David's victory. The phrase "not able to rise" creates a stark visual of an enemy utterly incapacitated, unable to regain their footing or mount a defense. This is reinforced by the highly symbolic **Idiom** "fallen under my feet," which is a common ancient Near Eastern expression for absolute subjugation and triumph, often depicted in ancient art where a king places his foot on the neck or back of a conquered foe. This imagery is a **Hyperbole** that emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the defeat, leaving no doubt as to the finality of the victory. The verse also functions as a **Declaration**, a confident statement of accomplished fact, underscoring David's assurance in God's power to deliver.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while rooted in David's historical triumphs, carries profound theological weight, speaking to the nature of divine victory over evil and opposition. It asserts that when God acts on behalf of His chosen one, the defeat of adversaries is not partial but absolute and irreversible. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His commitment to uphold His covenant promises, ensuring the triumph of righteousness. It foreshadows a greater, ultimate victory over all spiritual and physical enemies, establishing God's kingdom and the reign of His anointed King.

* [Psalms 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Dominion")
* [Joshua 10:24](/joshua/10-24 "Joshua 10:24 - Feet on Necks of Kings")
* [Romans 16:20](/romans/16-20 "Romans 16:20 - God Crushes Satan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While David's battles were physical, Psalms 18:38 offers profound spiritual insights 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, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - The Nature of Spiritual Warfare")). This verse reminds us that our ability to overcome sin, temptation, and spiritual attacks comes not from our own might, but from God's power working through us. It assures us that through Christ, decisive and complete victory over spiritual opposition is possible, because the enemy is ultimately defeated. We can trust that God will enable us to stand firm and overcome obstacles in our lives, ensuring that we are not utterly defeated by the challenges we face. This 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 assurance of His ultimate victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "under attack" or overwhelmed by opposition?**
* **How does the imagery of enemies being "unable to rise" and "fallen under my feet" encourage you in your spiritual battles?**
* **What specific steps can you take to rely more fully on God's strength for victory, rather than your own?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse promote violence or vengeance for believers today?**

Answer: While Psalms 18:38 describes David's physical victories over his literal enemies, its primary purpose within the psalm is to celebrate God's deliverance and power, not to endorse personal vengeance for believers. For the New Testament believer, the "enemies" are primarily spiritual forces of evil, sin, and death, rather than human adversaries ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Spiritual Battle")). The victory we seek is over these spiritual foes, and it is achieved through Christ's work on the cross and our reliance on the Holy Spirit, not through physical aggression. The imagery of decisive defeat, however, still applies, assuring us that God grants ultimate triumph over all forms of evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 18:38 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king, was a type of the Messiah, and his victories foreshadowed the greater, definitive triumph of Christ over all His enemies. While David's conquests were earthly and physical, Christ's victory is cosmic and spiritual. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus decisively "wounded" and rendered powerless sin, death, and the devil, ensuring they are "not able to rise" again to hold humanity captive ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). The 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 ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Subdued")). Indeed, the Lord Jesus has already triumphed over principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). 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 ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")).

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 22:39

And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.

Psalms 36:12

There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

2 Samuel 8:1

¶ And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 Samuel 8:18

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was over] both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

1 Samuel 23:5

So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Psalms 47:3

He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

2 Samuel 18:7

Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand [men].