Psalm 18 47

Psalm 18:47 kjv

It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

Psalm 18:47 nkjv

It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me;

Psalm 18:47 niv

He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me,

Psalm 18:47 esv

the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me,

Psalm 18:47 nlt

He is the God who pays back those who harm me;
he subdues the nations under me

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 47 Meaning

Psalm 18:47 declares God's active, living presence, acknowledging Him as the unwavering foundation and protector, and celebrating Him as the ultimate source of deliverance and triumph. It is an exultant confession of faith and a doxology of praise from one who has experienced God's powerful rescue. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's deep conviction in God's eternal sovereignty, steadfast faithfulness, and efficacious salvation, contrasting the living God with powerless idols.

Psalm 18 47 Context

Psalm 18 is a psalm of thanksgiving from King David, expressing profound gratitude to the Lord for His powerful deliverance from all his enemies, especially from King Saul. The psalm parallels the account in 2 Samuel 22, placed strategically after a period of intense conflict and near-death experiences. Verses 1-3 declare David's love and trust in God as his refuge. Verses 4-19 graphically depict David's distress and God's dramatic, cosmic intervention. Verses 20-30 assert David's blamelessness and God's justice. Verses 31-45 describe God empowering David for battle and granting him victory over nations. Verse 47, specifically, appears in the triumphant conclusion of the psalm (verses 46-50), where David shifts from recounting God's mighty acts to direct praise and adoration for the Deliverer Himself, encapsulating the deep theological implications of the victories experienced. It functions as a doxology, cementing God's rightful place at the pinnacle of David's worship.

Psalm 18 47 Word analysis

• The Lord lives!: (Hebrew: חַי-יְהוָה, Ḥay-YHWH). This is an emphatic exclamation and declaration of faith, asserting God's eternality, active existence, and dynamic power, particularly in contrast to lifeless idols or powerless human entities. It functions as an oath-like affirmation, akin to "as the Lord lives." This is fundamental to God's nature – He is not an inert deity but a vibrant, present, and interacting God who responds to His people and fulfills His covenant promises. This divine vitality ensures His faithfulness in deliverance.
• Blessed be: (Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ, baruch). This term expresses profound veneration and praise. When applied to God, "blessed be" is an act of acknowledging and declaring God's inherent glory, worth, and the abundant blessings that flow from His character and actions. It is not an attempt to add to God, but to affirm His supreme goodness and benefaction as revealed in His deeds of salvation and protection.
• my Rock!: (Hebrew: צוּרִי, tzuri). This powerful metaphor conveys God's unyielding strength, stability, and faithfulness. A rock provides refuge, a strong foundation, and protection against danger. "My Rock" highlights a deeply personal, covenantal relationship – God is the psalmist's personal, immovable stronghold. It speaks to God's unchanging nature amidst a shifting world and tumultuous life, ensuring safety and dependability.
• And exalted be: (Hebrew: וְיָרוּם, v'yarum). This verb means "to be high," "to be lifted up," "to be elevated." It signifies magnifying God's name, making His greatness known and highly esteemed. It’s an active declaration of His supreme sovereignty and worthiness of praise above all others. This expression is often used in worship and emphasizes God's incomparable majesty.
• the God of my salvation!: (Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי, Elohei Yish'i). This title specifically defines God by His redemptive character and acts. "My salvation" (יִשְׁעִי, yish'i) refers to deliverance, victory, safety, and well-being. It encapsulates both the physical rescue David experienced and the deeper spiritual well-being derived from God's intervention. This phrase identifies God not merely as a savior, but the unique, personal God who orchestrates and provides my deliverance. It implies His character as the source, author, and sustainer of David's saving acts, emphasizing that true and ultimate rescue comes exclusively from Him.

Psalm 18 47 Bonus section

This verse's profound statements often form the core of communal worship, transitioning from individual experience to collective praise. The emphasis on God's 'life' in "The Lord lives!" establishes a fundamental aspect of Israel's monotheistic belief, polemically rejecting polytheistic notions of limited, fallible, or deceased deities. Furthermore, "my Rock" not only speaks of God's physical protection but extends to His moral and spiritual steadfastness. This declaration sets the stage for a covenantal relationship where God's promises and character remain unyielding. The phrase "God of my salvation" carries a depth that anticipates the ultimate salvation found in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. David's experience of physical deliverance serves as a type for the spiritual redemption offered through Christ's work, where He becomes the ultimate "Rock" (1 Cor 10:4) and the very essence of our "salvation" (Luke 2:30). Thus, this psalm of triumph holds layers of meaning that extend beyond David's immediate context to universal theological truths about God's eternal nature and His redemptive plan.

Psalm 18 47 Commentary

Psalm 18:47 serves as a concise, yet profound, statement of theological affirmation born from personal experience. David, having survived intense life-threatening situations, offers not a sigh of relief, but a doxology proclaiming the active, living nature of God. The phrase "The Lord lives!" is a vital declaration, differentiating the dynamic God of Israel from the dead, impotent idols worshipped by surrounding nations. This living God is then honored as David's "Rock," signifying His unshakeable character, faithfulness, and providing ultimate security and refuge. This implies God is not only the provider of shelter but the very essence of stability for His people. Finally, by proclaiming Him "the God of my salvation," David underscores God's singular role as the deliverer from every adversary and peril. This encapsulates both the immediate military triumphs and the broader divine work of rescue and preservation in all aspects of life. It’s a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people, always capable of providing total victory and redemption.