TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 18:29–50. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Just as David after the advent of our Savior is able to be presented just as if he were alive and living among people, and he sings praises to the God of the universe among all the peoples through his own writings, canticles and hymns, so also he who has come from his seed, to whom these words refer that we now explain, with like reasoning when he overcomes the ones lying in wait for him, he may rightly say, “You will exalt me above the ones rising against me.” And he leaves them behind, and he shares his own truth and grace to all peoples; even now he himself, being present everywhere on the earth and in the midst of them resting their hope in him, is made known through his church.
"From them that rise up against Me You will exalt Me" [Psalm 18:48]. From the Jews that rise up against Me in My passion, You will exalt Me in My resurrection. "From the unjust man You will deliver Me." From their unjust rule You will deliver Me.
All these things will happen to us through him who placed his arms on the cross as a bow in the sky, and daily he intercedes for us.
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Summary
Psalms 18:48 stands as a powerful testament to King David's unwavering conviction in God's sovereign power to deliver and exalt His anointed. This verse encapsulates the triumphant culmination of a grand psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's decisive and personal intervention in David's life, rescuing him from a multitude of adversaries and elevating him above those who sought his downfall. It serves as a profound declaration of divine faithfulness and omnipotence in safeguarding His chosen servant, affirming that ultimate victory and security are found in God alone.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 18 is a magnificent hymn of thanksgiving, almost identically mirrored in 2 Samuel 22, indicating its profound significance in David's life and the biblical narrative. The psalm opens with David's fervent declaration of God as his strength, rock, and deliverer (Psalms 18:1-3). It then vividly recounts David's desperate cries for help and God's dramatic, cosmic response, often depicted as a divine warrior descending from heaven amidst thunder and earthquake to rescue His servant (Psalms 18:7-15). Following this powerful description of divine intervention and the subsequent conquest of enemies through God's empowering hand (Psalms 18:32-45), Psalms 18:48 functions as a climactic affirmation of God's ongoing, personal rescue and exaltation of David, leading into a final doxology of praise and a prophetic look towards the Messiah.
Historical & Cultural Context
The superscription of this psalm explicitly grounds it in David's tumultuous life, stating it was penned "in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." David's reign was indeed characterized by relentless threats, from his early years as a fugitive fleeing King Saul's relentless pursuit (1 Samuel 19), to constant warfare against surrounding nations like the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17-25), and even internal rebellions, such as that led by his own son Absalom (2 Samuel 15). In ancient Near Eastern societies, a king's success, survival, and military victories were often interpreted as direct indicators of divine favor and validation of their rule. David's declaration in Psalms 18:48 is therefore not merely a personal testimony but a public, theological affirmation of YHWH's unique role as the ultimate divine warrior and protector of His anointed king, thereby validating David's reign as divinely ordained and sustained against all opposition.
Key Themes
This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is Divine Deliverance, emphasizing God's active, personal, and powerful rescue of His servant. David emphatically states that it is God who "delivereth" him, highlighting divine agency as the ultimate source of salvation, far surpassing human strength or military prowess. Closely intertwined is the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Power, showcasing God's absolute ability to overcome any opposition, no matter how formidable or numerous. Furthermore, the declaration "Thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me" powerfully underscores the theme of Exaltation and Victory. God not only saves His faithful servant from peril but also elevates him to a position of triumph, superiority, and vindication over his adversaries. This also subtly points to God's Covenant Faithfulness, as His actions align with His unconditional promises to establish David's throne and dynasty forever, as articulated in the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies a forceful rescue, a "slipping out" or "snatching away" from danger. It conveys an active, decisive intervention where one is pulled out of a perilous situation, often from the very grasp of an enemy. It implies urgency and power in God's saving act, emphasizing that the escape is not by chance but by divine intention and might.
This word means to be high, exalted, or lifted up. In this context, it denotes more than mere escape; it signifies being placed in a position of superiority, safety, or triumph over one's adversaries. It speaks to God's vindication and elevation of David, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and power to establish His chosen one in a position of authority and victory.
This term refers to "violence," "wrong," "cruelty," or "injustice." When applied to a "man" (Hebrew, ʼîysh, H376), it characterizes an individual whose actions are marked by oppression, aggression, and moral corruption. It emphasizes the malevolent and destructive nature of David's opposition, underscoring the specific and tangible threats from which God delivered him, highlighting the moral depravity of his enemies.
Verse Breakdown
"He delivereth me from mine enemies:"
This opening clause immediately establishes God as the primary and active agent of deliverance. The use of "enemies" in the plural indicates a multitude of adversaries, encompassing all who opposed David—whether foreign nations, domestic rebels, or King Saul himself. It highlights God's comprehensive and repeated intervention on David's behalf, underscoring His consistent faithfulness in rescuing His servant from various threats.
"yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me:"
This expands upon the nature of God's deliverance, shifting from a third-person declaration ("He") to a direct, intimate address ("thou"). This personal address emphasizes the close relationship between David and God, and God's specific, personal involvement. "Lifting up above" signifies not merely rescue from danger, but exaltation, vindication, and triumph over those who sought to suppress, destroy, or diminish David. It speaks to God granting ultimate victory and establishing David's authority and position.
"thou hast delivered me from the violent man."
This final clause narrows the focus to a specific, particularly malicious individual, characterized by "violence" or injustice. While it could refer to a prominent adversary like Saul, or perhaps a composite representation of all malevolent opposition, it underscores God's protection from targeted, malevolent aggression. This reiterates the personal and precise nature of God's saving power, demonstrating His ability to rescue David from even the most insidious and destructive forces.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enhance its meaning and emotional impact. Parallelism is prominently featured, particularly synonymous parallelism, where similar ideas are expressed using different phrasing to reinforce the central message. For example, "He delivereth me from mine enemies" and "thou hast delivered me from the violent man" convey the same core concept of divine rescue, amplifying its significance through repetition and slight variation. The phrase "thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me" further amplifies this theme of victory and exaltation over adversaries. There is also a notable Shift in Person from the third person ("He delivereth") to the second person direct address ("thou liftest me up," "thou hast delivered"). This shift creates a more intimate and personal tone, emphasizing David's direct, heartfelt relationship with God and his profound gratitude for God's specific, personal interventions in his life. The language itself utilizes Figurative Language, particularly the vivid imagery of being "lifted up above," which powerfully conveys triumph, vindication, and superiority beyond mere physical escape.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 18:48 profoundly articulates God's character as a faithful deliverer, a powerful protector, and an exalter of His people. It underscores the foundational theological truth that true security, lasting victory, and ultimate vindication come not from human might, military prowess, or political maneuvering, but solely from the sovereign hand of God. David's deeply personal testimony serves as a timeless reminder that God is actively and intimately involved in the affairs of His creation, particularly in defending, preserving, and vindicating His chosen ones. This verse affirms God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, demonstrating His absolute power to overcome all opposition and establish His righteous purposes, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It serves as an invitation for believers across all generations to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God's protective presence, knowing that He is mighty to save and capable of turning apparent defeat into glorious, undeniable triumph.
Reflection and Application
David's profound experience in Psalms 18:48 offers enduring encouragement and a powerful model for believers today. It reminds us that the God who delivered and exalted King David is the very same God who remains our steadfast protector, deliverer, and vindicator. In a world still fraught with various forms of "enemies" and "violent men"—whether they are literal adversaries, oppressive systems, spiritual forces of darkness, or even internal struggles like fear, anxiety, and despair—this verse calls us to place our unwavering trust in God's omnipotent power. It challenges us to reflect on God's faithful hand in our past deliverances and to confidently anticipate His future interventions, knowing that He not only rescues us from peril but also elevates us to a place of peace, resilience, and ultimate victory in Him. Our battles, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, are ultimately in God's hands, and we are called to stand firm in faith, praising Him for His past faithfulness and crying out to Him for His ongoing salvation. This profound confidence allows us to live not in fear or defeat, but in the joyful assurance of divine protection and ultimate triumph, knowing that our God is mighty to save and to lift us up.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is this psalm only about David's physical battles, or does it have broader application for believers today?
While Psalms 18 is indeed deeply rooted in King David's literal experiences of warfare and persecution, its profound themes of divine deliverance, protection, and exaltation extend far beyond mere physical combat. The "enemies" and "violent man" can be understood metaphorically to represent any force or individual that opposes God's people or His righteous purposes. Therefore, the psalm has profound and timeless application to spiritual battles, emotional distress, unjust situations, systemic oppression, and all forms of opposition believers face in their lives. God's character as a deliverer is constant and unchanging, whether the threat is a literal army or an unseen spiritual foe, as seen in passages like Ephesians 6:12.
How does God "lift us up above" our enemies in a contemporary context, beyond physical victory?
God "lifting us up above" our enemies today can manifest in myriad ways, not always involving physical triumph or the defeat of literal adversaries. It can mean granting spiritual victory over temptation and sin, providing inner peace and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity, or bestowing wisdom to navigate complex and challenging circumstances. It might involve vindication in unjust situations, or simply giving us a divine perspective that transcends our immediate struggles, allowing us to see God's sovereign hand at work even amidst chaos. Ultimately, it's about God placing us in a position of spiritual and emotional triumph, where we are not overcome by our circumstances but stand firm in His strength, experiencing the "peace of God, which transcends all understanding," as promised in Philippians 4:7.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 18:48 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. David's deliverance from his enemies and his exaltation above them serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the definitive victory and supreme exaltation of the Messiah. Jesus, the true Son of David and the perfect King, faced the ultimate "violent man"—Satan, sin, and death itself. Through His crucifixion, burial, and glorious resurrection, Christ decisively triumphed over all these spiritual adversaries, disarming the powers and authorities and putting them to open shame on the cross (Colossians 2:15). He delivered humanity from the bondage of sin and the fear of death, rendering powerless him who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). Furthermore, God definitively "lifted Him up above" all those who rose against Him, exalting Him to the highest place at His right hand, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked (Ephesians 1:20-22). Believers, united with Christ by faith, participate in this divine deliverance and exaltation, sharing in His victory and being seated with Him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). Thus, David's ancient song of personal deliverance becomes a prophetic anthem of the greater, eternal salvation wrought by our Lord Jesus Christ for all who believe.