Psalms 55:18

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle [that was] against me: for there were many with me.

He hath delivered {H6299}{H8804)} my soul {H5315} in peace {H7965} from the battle {H7128} that was against me: for there were many {H7227} with me.

He redeems me and gives me peace, so that no one can come near me. For there were many who fought me.

He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; For they were many that strove with me.

Commentary

Psalms 55:18 offers a profound declaration of faith and divine intervention from King David, who, despite facing immense personal and political turmoil, found solace and deliverance in God.

Context of Psalms 55:18

Psalm 55 is a lament of David, filled with expressions of deep distress, betrayal, and fear. Traditionally, it is believed to reflect David's anguish during the rebellion led by his son Absalom, particularly the treachery of his trusted counselor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31). The psalm opens with David's desperate plea to God, expressing a desire to flee his troubles (verses 4-8), and then shifts to a bitter lament against a close friend who has turned against him (verses 12-14). Amidst this profound anguish and the feeling of being overwhelmed by enemies, verse 18 stands out as a powerful statement of God's faithfulness and the psalmist's enduring trust.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance and Peace: The core message is God's active role in saving David's soul. "He hath delivered my soul in peace" highlights that God not only rescues but also grants inner tranquility amidst external chaos. This isn't just an absence of conflict, but a holistic well-being, a shalom that transcends circumstances.
  • Overcoming Overwhelming Opposition: David describes the "battle that was against me," acknowledging the severe, perhaps life-threatening, nature of his struggles. Yet, he testifies to God's victory over these formidable foes, even when "many were against" him (as some interpretations of the Hebrew suggest, or understanding "many with me" as divine allies).
  • God's Unseen Presence and Support: The phrase "for there were many with me" can be understood in the KJV context as a reference to God's powerful presence and perhaps His heavenly hosts being on David's side. This divine backing outweighs any numerical advantage of his enemies, affirming that God's presence is more significant than any opposition.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "peace" here is shalom (ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื), which encompasses not just the absence of war, but completeness, soundness, welfare, and prosperity. It signifies a state of well-being that God bestows. The phrase "for there were many with me" (ื›ึดึผื™ึพื‘ึฐืจึทื‘ึดึผื™ื ื”ึธื™ื•ึผ ืขึดืžึธึผื“ึดื™) has been a point of interpretive discussion. While some ancient versions and modern translations interpret it as "many were against me," the KJV's rendering emphasizes that despite the numerous adversaries, David was not alone; God and His unseen forces were on his side, providing the ultimate strength for deliverance. This highlights God's protective and empowering presence.

Practical Application

Psalms 55:18 offers immense encouragement for believers facing personal battles, betrayals, or overwhelming odds. It reminds us that:

  • God is our Deliverer: No matter how intense the "battle" โ€“ whether it's spiritual warfare, emotional distress, or external opposition โ€“ God is capable of delivering our souls and bringing inner peace that transcends understanding.
  • We Are Not Alone: Even when surrounded by adversaries or feeling isolated, this verse reassures us that God is "with" us. His presence and power are greater than any challenge or enemy.
  • Trust in God's Faithfulness: David's testimony encourages us to place our trust in God's unfailing ability to bring us through difficult seasons, transforming our anguish into a testimony of His peace and deliverance.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true peace and victory come from God, who fights on behalf of His children.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 57:3

    He shall send from heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

  • Psalms 27:1

    ยถ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

  • Psalms 27:3

    Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident.

  • Psalms 3:6

    I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set [themselves] against me round about.

  • Psalms 3:7

    Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies [upon] the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:7

    Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that [is] with him: for [there be] more with us than with him:

  • 2 Chronicles 32:8

    With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
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