Psalm 18 17

Psalm 18:17 kjv

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

Psalm 18:17 nkjv

He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me.

Psalm 18:17 niv

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.

Psalm 18:17 esv

He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

Psalm 18:17 nlt

He rescued me from my powerful enemies,
from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 17 Meaning

Psalm 18:17 declares that God powerfully delivered the psalmist, David, from enemies who were not only formidable and intensely hostile but also utterly beyond his own capacity to overcome. It emphasizes the profound disparity in strength between the psalmist and his adversaries, underscoring that his rescue was solely an act of divine intervention, proving God's unparalleled power and faithfulness to His servant.

Psalm 18 17 Context

Psalm 18 is a psalm of thanksgiving by King David, written after the Lord had delivered him from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul (as noted in the psalm's superscription and its parallel in 2 Samuel 22). The entire psalm vividly recounts a profound divine intervention, portraying God as a mighty warrior who descends from heaven to rescue His beleaguered servant. Verse 17 fits within this narrative, following David's desperate cry for help (vv. 4-6) and God's awe-inspiring response (vv. 7-16). Historically, David's life was marked by relentless persecution from King Saul and constant warfare against surrounding nations. This verse specifically addresses the overwhelming nature of these threats, justifying the dramatic depiction of God's direct and powerful rescue. It underscores David's total dependence on God amidst the seemingly insurmountable forces arrayed against him.

Psalm 18 17 Word analysis

• He delivered: (Hebrew: Yattzileni, יַצִּילֵנִי) This is the Hiphil imperfect form of the verb natzal (נָצַל), meaning "to snatch away," "to deliver," "to rescue." The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action, meaning God actively and powerfully caused the deliverance. It suggests a swift and decisive removal from danger, emphasizing divine initiative and might. This term is often used in the context of rescue from immediate peril.

• me: The suffix "eni" is the first common singular pronoun, highlighting that God's deliverance was specific, personal, and directed towards David, His chosen servant. It underscores God's personal care.

• from my strong enemy: (Hebrew: mîyyêbî charãz, מֵאֹיְבִי חָזָק)

  • my enemy: Oyev (אֹיֵב) refers to an adversary or hostile opponent. The possessive "my" again personalizes the threat.
  • strong: Chazaq (חָזָק) means firm, strong, mighty, fierce, severe. It denotes significant power, indicating that the enemy possessed great military, political, or physical might, making them a formidable and dangerous foe beyond normal human capacity to confront.

• and from them which hated me: (Hebrew: ûmimśań’ai, וּמִשֹּׂנְאַי)

  • them which hated me: Śōˈnê (שׂוֹנְאֵי), from the root sane (שָׂנֵא), means to hate, to be hostile towards. This goes beyond mere opposition; it signifies deep-seated animosity, malice, and active malevolence. The combination with "strong enemy" shows the dual threat: powerful might combined with malicious intent.

• for they were too strong for me: (Hebrew: kî ʽāmʦû mimmennî, כִּי אָמְצוּ מִמֶּנִּי)

  • for: Kî (כִּי) acts as a causal conjunction, explaining the reason for the deliverance.
  • they were too strong: ‘Ametsu (אָמְצוּ), from the verb amets (אָמֵץ), means to be strong, to be courageous, to be firm, to prevail. The context of "too strong for me" clearly signifies their superior power and David's disadvantage.
  • for me: Mimennî (מִמֶּנִּי), literally "from me" or "than I," expressing comparison. This phrase emphatically states David's utter inadequacy and powerlessness in the face of such overwhelming opposition. It establishes the critical point that human effort alone was futile, necessitating divine intervention.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "He delivered me": This phrase highlights God as the active agent and sole source of rescue. It underlines the divine initiative in the face of human vulnerability.
  • "from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me": This group specifies the nature of the adversaries: not just strong, but also filled with personal malice. Their strength (physical, military) combined with their hatred (personal, venomous intent) made them extraordinarily dangerous, necessitating an extraordinary deliverer.
  • "for they were too strong for me": This is the crucial justification for God's intervention. It acknowledges human limitation and provides the theological basis for divine rescue. It communicates David's absolute helplessness, making God's subsequent action even more glorious. It contrasts the overwhelming might of the enemies with the inherent weakness of the psalmist, creating a dramatic tension resolved only by God.

Psalm 18 17 Bonus section

• This verse is a prime example of God operating at the point of human impossibility. It portrays a divine deus ex machina (God from the machine), where the problem is so immense that only a supernatural force can solve it.
• The emphasis on "too strong for me" sets up the expectation for a magnificent display of divine power described in the subsequent verses (e.g., God parting the heavens, earthquakes, fire).
• The theological implication extends to Christ's work, where the powers of sin and death were "too strong" for humanity to overcome, requiring Christ's perfect sacrifice and resurrection for ultimate deliverance.
• It serves as a constant reminder for believers that their battles against unseen spiritual forces (Eph 6:12) or overwhelming life circumstances require reliance on divine strength rather than human might.

Psalm 18 17 Commentary

Psalm 18:17 articulates a foundational principle of God's redemptive work: His intervention is most gloriously displayed when human capacity utterly fails. David's enemies were characterized by immense strength and virulent hatred, rendering him incapable of self-deliverance. The phrase "too strong for me" is a raw confession of powerlessness, establishing the perfect conditions for God to demonstrate His omnipotence. This verse is not merely a historical recount but a theological statement about divine rescue. It teaches that God is not limited by the strength of our adversaries, no matter how overwhelming they seem. Rather, their insurmountable power often serves as the very backdrop against which God's own supreme power shines brightest. This divine deliverance is a profound expression of God's covenant faithfulness and His personal care for His chosen ones. In every situation where "they are too strong for me"—whether it be spiritual temptations, systemic injustices, or personal challenges—this verse reminds believers to look to the Lord, for He alone is the deliverer who can prevail against any impossible foe.