Psalm 18 39

Psalm 18:39 kjv

For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

Psalm 18:39 nkjv

For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

Psalm 18:39 niv

You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.

Psalm 18:39 esv

For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.

Psalm 18:39 nlt

You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 39 Meaning

Psalm 18:39 declares that the Lord God has fully equipped David with divine strength and power specifically for combat. This divine empowerment leads to the certain defeat and humiliation of all who have risen in opposition against him. The verse attributes David's military prowess and triumph not to his own might, but entirely to God's active enabling and intervention in the midst of conflict.

Psalm 18 39 Context

Psalm 18 is a triumphant psalm of thanksgiving from King David, virtually identical to 2 Samuel chapter 22. It celebrates God's mighty deliverance of David from all his enemies, especially from King Saul. This specific verse (v.39) falls within a section (v.28-45) where David recounts in detail the ways God enabled and fought for him, describing God's intervention and the resulting victory over formidable adversaries. The immediate historical context is David's tumultuous reign, marked by continuous warfare and personal threats, where he consistently sought the Lord's intervention for survival and victory. It is a testament to God as the ultimate warrior and protector of His anointed.

Psalm 18 39 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - kî): A causal conjunction, indicating the reason or explanation for the preceding statements about God's empowering presence. It links David's victory directly to God's action.
• thou hast girded (חָזַרְתָּנִי - ḥagartānî): From the verb חָגַר (ḥagar), meaning "to gird," "to fasten on," "to put on (a belt, a sword)." This vivid imagery refers to the act of equipping a warrior. A person "girded" with strength is dressed for action, empowered, and ready. It suggests active, intentional outfitting by God. In ancient warfare, men would gird up their long garments to facilitate movement for battle or labor. This act physically prepares someone for vigorous action. Here, it is spiritual or inner strength that is "girded on."
• me (נִי - nî): The first-person singular suffix, directly indicating David as the recipient of God's action.
• with strength (כֹּחַ - kōaḥ): Refers to inherent physical, mental, or spiritual power, ability, or might. It's the intrinsic vigor and capacity to accomplish tasks, particularly in warfare. God is the direct source of this kōaḥ.
• unto the battle (לַמִּלְחָמָה - lammilḥāmāh): The preposition "לְ" (lǝ) indicates purpose, "the" (הַ - ha) is the definite article, and מִלְחָמָה (milḥāmāh) means "war," "battle," "fight." This phrase emphasizes that the strength was specifically for engagement in conflict. It's not a general strength, but strength targeted and sufficient for the particular challenges of war.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• For thou hast girded me with strength: This phrase highlights God's active, personal involvement in David's empowerment. The image of 'girding' denotes preparation, equipping, and an intimate connection in the process. It counters any notion of self-reliance, unequivocally attributing David's capability to God's direct act of empowering.
• unto the battle: This clarifies the purpose of the divine strength. It wasn't given idly but for a specific, demanding context: war. This shows God’s active participation in and foreknowledge of David's military challenges.
• thou hast subdued (תַּכְרִיעֵם - takrîʿēam): From the verb כָּרַע (kāraʿ), meaning "to bow down," "to kneel," "to humble," "to bring low," "to subdue." This powerful verb denotes complete and decisive defeat. It implies forcing the enemies to their knees, stripping them of power and authority.
• under me (תַּחְתָּי - taḥtāy): Means "under me," denoting the position of defeat and submission. The enemies are literally brought low beneath David's feet, a common biblical image for complete subjugation and victory (cf. footstool imagery).
• those that rose up against me (קָמִים עָלַי - qāmîm ʿālay): "Those standing up" or "those who had risen up against me." The term refers to adversaries who had aggressively taken a hostile stand against David, challenging his authority or existence. It denotes a deliberate and active posture of rebellion or warfare. The very act of them 'rising up' led to their being 'brought down'.

Psalm 18 39 Bonus section

This verse can be understood eschatologically in light of Christ. Just as God "girded" David, so He uniquely equipped Jesus, the greater Son of David, for His ultimate "battle" against sin and death. Christ's victory on the cross represents the decisive subduing of all principalities and powers, bringing them "under" His feet (Col 2:15). Thus, David's military victories become a shadow of the cosmic triumph of Christ, through whom all enemies will eventually be made a "footstool" (Psa 110:1). For believers today, the strength to face life's battles, spiritual and otherwise, is not derived from self-help or humanistic efforts, but is "girded" by the indwelling Spirit of Christ, who enables them to stand firm and see challenges overcome as they submit to His power.

Psalm 18 39 Commentary

Psalm 18:39 distills a profound theological truth about divine enablement and human victory. It moves beyond merely acknowledging God as powerful to emphasizing His personal and purposeful action in empowering David. The "girding" signifies more than mere gifting; it's an intimate act of preparing David for a specific task. God doesn't just grant strength abstractly; He infuses David with combat readiness. This is a polemic against reliance on human strength, superior weaponry, or military strategy alone (e.g., as pagan nations trusted in their gods or chariots, Psa 20:7). David's victory is solely a testament to God's might and active involvement. The subsequent subjugation of enemies "under me" is not David's personal triumph over lesser foes, but God’s sovereign work through His chosen instrument, reducing adversaries to a position of ultimate submission and powerlessness. This verse encourages believers to lean on God for all battles—physical, emotional, or spiritual—knowing that true power and victory originate in Him, who not only supplies the strength but also achieves the subjection of all opposing forces.

• Example for practical usage: When facing a challenging decision or a period of intense pressure (a "battle" of sorts in life), one can remember that God "girds with strength." Instead of relying on self, the believer prays for divine equipping, trusting God for the power and wisdom needed to navigate the situation and for the outcome to be ultimately subjected to His will.
• Example for practical usage: In times of spiritual conflict or temptation, this verse reminds that the believer is not fighting alone. God has provided "strength" through Christ (Phil 4:13) and the Holy Spirit, enabling them to resist evil and see spiritual foes "subdued" in Christ's authority (Rom 16:20).