Psalms 18:47

KJV

[It is] God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

KJV (with Strong's)

It is God {H410} that avengeth {H5414}{H5360} me, and subdueth {H1696} the people {H5971} under me.

Complete Jewish Bible

the God who avenges me and subdues peoples under me.

Berean Standard Bible

the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me,

American Standard Version

Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, And subdueth peoples under me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 18:47 is a profound declaration of David's unwavering faith in God as the ultimate source of justice, vindication, and sovereign power. In this climactic verse of a psalm celebrating divine deliverance, David attributes his victories over enemies and the establishment of his kingdom not to his own might, but entirely to the Lord, who actively intervenes to right wrongs and bring adversaries into submission. It encapsulates the core message that God is the righteous Avenger and the supreme Ruler over all earthly powers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 18 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, almost identical to [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance"), which explicitly states it was sung by David "in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." The psalm begins with David's passionate declaration of love for God as his strength and deliverer ([Psalms 18:1-3](/psalms/18-1 "Psalm 18:1-3 - David's Love for God")). It then vividly recounts his distress and God's dramatic, cosmic intervention to save him, portraying God as a divine warrior descending from heaven ([Psalms 18:4-19](/psalms/18-4 "Psalm 18:4-19 - God's Deliverance")). Following this, David affirms his blamelessness before God and God's righteous dealings with him ([Psalms 18:20-30](/psalms/18-20 "Psalm 18:20-30 - God's Righteousness")). Verses [Psalms 18:31-45](/psalms/18-31 "Psalm 18:31-45 - God Equips David for Battle") detail how God equipped David for battle and granted him victory over nations. Verse 47, therefore, serves as a powerful summary and theological conclusion to this narrative of divine assistance, emphasizing that all of David's successes, including the subjugation of his foes, are a direct result of God's active and sovereign power. It prepares the reader for the psalm's final doxology, praising God's steadfast love and salvation for His anointed ([Psalms 18:48-50](/psalms/18-48 "Psalm 18:48-50 - God's Steadfast Love")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life, from his anointing as king to his reign, was characterized by relentless conflict. He faced persistent persecution from King Saul ([1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - Saul's Attempts on David's Life")), numerous battles against surrounding nations such as the Philistines ([1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"), [2 Samuel 5](/2_samuel/5 "2 Samuel 5 - David Conquers Jerusalem")), Moabites, Ammonites, and Syrians ([2 Samuel 8](/2_samuel/8 "2 Samuel 8 - David's Victories")). In the ancient Near East, kings often attributed their victories to their patron deities. However, David's psalm distinctly attributes all success to YHWH, the one true God, emphasizing His unique role as the divine warrior who fights for His covenant people and His anointed king. The concept of "avenging" in this context is not about personal vendetta, but about God's righteous judgment and the restoration of justice within His covenantal framework. It reflects the belief that God intervenes directly in human affairs to uphold His promises and establish His chosen ruler. The "subduing" of people under David signifies God's active role in establishing David's dominion and ensuring the security of Israel, fulfilling the promise of a stable kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 18 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Power**. David consistently acknowledges that his strength, victories, and the establishment of his kingdom are not due to his own military prowess or strategic genius, but solely to God's omnipotence and active intervention. This theme is pervasive, as seen in [Psalms 18:32](/psalms/18-32 "Psalm 18:32 - God Equips David with Strength"), where David declares, "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Justice and Vengeance**. The "avenging" aspect emphasizes God's role as the ultimate dispenser of justice, who sees injustice and acts to right wrongs. This is a foundational biblical concept, distinguishing divine retribution from human revenge, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine") and echoed in the New Testament in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves"). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Anointed**. The entire psalm is a testament to God's steadfast love and protection for David, His chosen king. God's avenging and subduing actions are a direct fulfillment of His covenant promises to David, ensuring his reign and the security of his people, as promised in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Avengeth (Hebrew, _nāqam'_):** This verb carries the sense of "to avenge," "to take vengeance," or "to punish." However, when applied to God, it primarily signifies righteous retribution, vindication, and the restoration of justice. It is not about personal, vindictive revenge, but God's holy and just response to wrongdoing, often involving the defense of the oppressed or the upholding of His covenant. In the context of David, God's "avenging" is His act of setting things right by delivering David from his persecutors and punishing those who unjustly opposed His anointed.
* **Subdueth (Hebrew, _yārad'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to go down" or "to descend," in the Hiphil stem (causative), it means "to bring down," "to humble," or "to cause to descend." Here, it vividly portrays God's active and forceful role in overpowering David's enemies and bringing them into submission. It emphasizes God's direct and decisive action in establishing David's dominion and ensuring his security by making his adversaries "go down" or fall under his authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[It is] God that avengeth me":** This clause emphatically declares God as the sole and supreme agent of justice and vindication for David. The initial "[It is] God" highlights divine initiative and omnipotence. David acknowledges that his deliverance from enemies and the righting of wrongs against him are not by his own hand or human effort, but by the direct, righteous intervention of the Almighty. This underscores a deep theological truth: ultimate justice belongs to God alone.
* **"and subdueth the people under me":** This second clause directly links God's avenging action to the practical outcome of David's reign. God's act of avenging is manifested in His power to bring nations and individuals into submission under David's authority. It signifies God's active role in establishing David's kingdom, granting him military victories, and ensuring his dominion over his adversaries. It is not David's strength that conquers, but God's power that causes people to "go down" or be brought low, effectively placing them under David's rule.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Emphasis** is achieved through the initial "[It is] God," immediately foregrounding the divine agent of action. This highlights God's singular and indispensable role in David's life and victories. There is an implicit **Parallelism** between "avengeth me" and "subdueth the people under me," where the two clauses express complementary aspects of God's active intervention on David's behalf. God's vindication (avenging) leads directly to the practical outcome of subjugation (subduing). **Anthropomorphism** is also present, as God is described with human-like actions of avenging and subduing, making His power and involvement more relatable and impactful to the human understanding. This vivid imagery conveys God's dynamic and personal engagement in the affairs of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 18:47 stands as a powerful testament to God's active sovereignty and righteous character. It teaches us that God is not a passive observer but an engaged ruler who intervenes in human history to uphold justice and establish His purposes. His "avenging" is not a human act of retribution, but a divine prerogative to restore order, punish evil, and vindicate the innocent. This divine justice is intrinsically linked to His power to "subdue" all opposition, demonstrating that no earthly force can ultimately thwart His will or stand against His chosen servants. David's experience becomes a paradigm for God's consistent faithfulness to His covenant and His unwavering commitment to those who trust in Him, assuring believers that God is ultimately in control, even amidst chaos and conflict.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")
* [Psalm 47:3](/psalms/47-3 "Psalm 47:3 - God Subdues Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 18:47 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers navigating a world often marked by injustice and opposition. It calls us to relinquish the burden of personal revenge, reminding us that ultimate justice belongs to God. When we face wrongs, betrayals, or overwhelming challenges, this verse invites us to trust in God's perfect timing and righteous methods for vindication. It also challenges us to recognize God's sovereign power over all circumstances and adversaries. Just as God subdued David's enemies, He is able to overcome any obstacle that stands in the way of His will for our lives. This perspective fosters humility, prompting us to attribute our successes and deliverances not to our own strength or wisdom, but to God's grace and intervention. It encourages a life of dependence and gratitude, knowing that our victories, whether personal or spiritual, are ultimately His work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as the righteous avenger impact my immediate response when I feel wronged or experience injustice?**
* **In what specific areas of my life or current challenges do I need to release control and trust God to "subdue" obstacles or adversaries?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper habit of acknowledging God's hand in my successes and deliverances, rather than attributing them solely to my own efforts?**

### FAQ
**Is "avenge" in this verse about personal revenge, and how does it apply to Christians today?**

Answer: No, the "avenging" described in Psalms 18:47, when attributed to God, is fundamentally different from human personal revenge. The Hebrew word _nāqam_ (נָקַם) in a divine context refers to God's righteous justice, vindication, and the restoration of order. It's God's holy response to evil and injustice, often involving the defense of the oppressed or the upholding of His covenant. Unlike human revenge, which is often driven by malice or personal satisfaction, God's vengeance is always perfectly just, pure, and aimed at establishing righteousness. For Christians today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that we are not to take justice into our own hands. The New Testament explicitly commands believers, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, [Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")" ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")). Our role is to trust God's perfect justice, pray for His will to be done, and respond with love and forgiveness, leaving ultimate vindication to Him.

**How does God "subdue" people or circumstances under believers today, since we are not typically engaged in physical warfare like David?**

Answer: While physical warfare and national conquest were central to David's experience, God's power to "subdue" is still profoundly relevant for believers today, though often manifested in spiritual and providential ways. God subdues spiritual enemies, giving believers victory over sin, temptation, and the schemes of the devil through Christ ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). He subdues challenging circumstances, opening doors, providing resources, and removing obstacles that oppose His will for our lives or His kingdom's advancement. This can involve providential interventions, changing hearts, or even allowing natural consequences to bring about His purposes. Ultimately, God's subduing power is at work in the spread of the Gospel, bringing hearts and minds into submission to Christ's Lordship, building His Church, and progressively establishing His kingdom on earth until His final triumph ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 18:47, with its declaration of God as the avenger and subduer, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king, was a type of the Messiah, and his victories foreshadowed the greater triumph of the true King. God's avenging power is perfectly demonstrated in Christ's conquest of sin, death, and the devil. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), thereby avenging humanity from the tyranny of sin and death. Furthermore, God's power to "subdue the people under" His anointed finds its ultimate expression in Christ's universal dominion. The resurrected Christ has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")), and He "must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet" ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign")). While His kingdom is not of this world in its origin and nature ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not Of This World")), it is eternally established and will ultimately bring all things into submission to His perfect rule. Believers, united with Christ, now share in this victory, becoming "more than conquerors through him that loved us" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")), as His subduing power continues to work in and through His Church until His glorious return.

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

Psalms 47:3

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

Romans 12:19

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Psalms 144:2

My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and [he] in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

2 Samuel 22:48

It [is] God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,

Nahum 1:2

¶ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.

Deuteronomy 32:35

To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.