Psalm 18 37

Psalm 18:37 kjv

I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

Psalm 18:37 nkjv

I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.

Psalm 18:37 niv

I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed.

Psalm 18:37 esv

I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed.

Psalm 18:37 nlt

I chased my enemies and caught them;
I did not stop until they were conquered.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 37 Meaning

Psalm 18:37 declares the resolute determination and successful outcome of a divinely empowered warrior's pursuit of enemies. It signifies an unwavering commitment to full victory, where every foe is overtaken and relentlessly pursued until their complete and irreversible destruction, with no turning back from the fight. This verse portrays God's enablement for His chosen servant to achieve comprehensive triumph over all opposition.

Psalm 18 37 Context

Psalm 18 is a triumphant psalm of David, serving as a song of thanksgiving and praise to God for delivering him from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul (as noted in its parallel version, 2 Samuel 22). It's a vivid depiction of God as a mighty deliverer, a rock, fortress, and stronghold. David recounts the extreme dangers he faced and how God intervened with awe-inspiring power to rescue him and empower him for victory. Verses 37-45 specifically describe the extent of the triumph over his adversaries. This verse, therefore, highlights the total and definitive nature of the victory granted by God to His anointed king, reflecting David's numerous military successes and divine vindication throughout his reign. It represents not just survival, but absolute dominion over all threats.

Psalm 18 37 Word analysis

• I pursued (’er-dōwph): From the Hebrew verb radaph (רָדַף), meaning to chase, follow after, or actively hunt down. It conveys aggressive and intentional pursuit, not a passive stance. This emphasizes the psalmist's personal engagement, empowered by God.

• my enemies (’ō-yə-vay): From Hebrew oyeb (אֹיֵב), plural, meaning adversary or hater. This refers to literal foes—foreign armies and internal threats—that challenged David's reign and life.

• and overtook them (vā-’as-sî-ḡêm): From the Hebrew verb nasag (נָשַׂג), meaning to reach, apprehend, or achieve. It signifies successfully catching up to the pursued, closing the distance, and gaining control or confrontation. The pursuit was not in vain; it reached its intended target.

• I did not turn back (wə-lō-’ā-šūḇ): From the Hebrew verb shuv (שׁוּב), meaning to return, turn around, or retreat. This phrase signifies unwavering resolve and commitment. It indicates an absence of fear or discouragement, illustrating relentless perseverance. There was no abandonment of the mission until its conclusion.

• till they were destroyed (‘aḏ-kal-lō-ṯām): From the Hebrew verb kalah (כָּלָה), meaning to complete, finish, bring to an end, consume, or annihilate. This points to the absolute finality of the defeat. The objective was not merely to scatter or repulse, but to utterly nullify the threat, ensuring no resurgence.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "I pursued my enemies and overtook them": This phrase details the successful execution of an aggressive strategy. It conveys decisive action—not merely waiting for the enemy, but actively engaging and dominating them. This speaks to God's empowerment enabling successful and conclusive military maneuvers.
  • "I did not turn back till they were destroyed": This second clause expresses the resolute determination and the thoroughness of the victory. It implies absolute commitment to the objective without wavering or ceasing until the complete elimination of the threat. It signifies an unyielding and final triumph, ensuring the permanence of the victory.

Psalm 18 37 Bonus section

The intensely militaristic language of Psalm 18, particularly in this verse, should be viewed as an articulation of God's sovereign power over all earthly opposition and His divine vindication of His anointed servant. While reflecting David's historical conquests, this passage serves as a theological statement about God's absolute control. In Christian theology, it foreshadows Christ's decisive and ultimate victory over all the forces of darkness. Just as David experienced full dominion over his foes with divine help, believers are called to engage in spiritual warfare with the certainty of triumph provided through Christ, who relentlessly pursues and ultimately destroys all the works of the devil. This verse offers encouragement to face spiritual challenges with the assurance that with God's power, there is no need to retreat until victory is achieved.

Psalm 18 37 Commentary

Psalm 18:37 is a powerful statement of the definitive and comprehensive nature of God-given victory. David's experience, whether against literal armies or treacherous individuals, demonstrates God's faithfulness in enabling His servant to not only overcome obstacles but to utterly dismantle and nullify them. This verse transcends mere survival, speaking of total triumph achieved through unyielding perseverance. The "not turning back" highlights a relentless dedication to the task, echoing the very character of God who, once purposed, will bring His will to complete fruition. For the believer, this encapsulates the assurance of victory in spiritual warfare, reminding us that through Christ, the ultimate defeat of sin, death, and evil is guaranteed for those who do not shrink back from the battle but continue until the work is finished.