Psalm 18 48

Psalm 18:48 kjv

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Psalm 18:48 nkjv

He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.

Psalm 18:48 niv

who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me.

Psalm 18:48 esv

who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence.

Psalm 18:48 nlt

and rescues me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
you save me from violent opponents.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 48 Meaning

Psalm 18:48 declares God's active and comprehensive deliverance of His servant from all adversaries. It emphasizes not only rescue from danger but also exaltation above the threats of enemies, specifically highlighting God's swift intervention against those who commit violence. It proclaims God's supreme power in establishing His chosen one in a position of victory and dominance over those who rise against him.

Psalm 18 48 Context

Psalm 18 is a monumental psalm of thanksgiving from King David to the LORD for His deliverance from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul. It is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22, serving as David's great doxology reflecting on his life of persecution and eventual triumph as God's chosen king. The psalm recounts God's majestic intervention (Ps 18:7-15), His righteous vindication of David (Ps 18:20-24), His enabling of David to overcome his foes (Ps 18:29-45), and culminates in this declaration of universal praise and dominion given by God. Verse 48, coming towards the end, summarizes the essence of God's complete and final victory on David's behalf, portraying the Lord as his ultimate Savior and Enabler. Historically, it captures the experience of David—a man relentlessly pursued but ultimately elevated by God.

Psalm 18 48 Word analysis

• He rescues me (מְפַלְּטֵנִי - məpalləṭēnî): From the Hebrew verb פָלַט (palaṭ), meaning to escape, deliver, or rescue. It denotes a swift, active, and complete release from a perilous situation. This highlights God as the initiator of the rescue, demonstrating His power and readiness to intervene on behalf of His servant.

• from my enemies (מֵאֹיְבָי - mē’ôyəḇāy): From the root אֹיֵב (’ôyēḇ), meaning adversary or hostile one. The plural form signifies a multitude of opposing forces, not just one specific foe, encompassing all those who stood against David throughout his tumultuous life. God's deliverance is comprehensive against all hostile powers.

• You indeed lift me (תְּרוֹמְמֵנִי - tərômemēnî): From the verb רוּם (rûm), meaning to be high, exalted, or lifted up. The Hiphil (causative) stem in Hebrew emphasizes that God actively causes David to be elevated or placed in a superior position. It's more than just a rescue; it's an exaltation or a triumph over his adversaries, signifying a place of authority and dominion.

• above those who rise up against me (מִקָּמַי - miqqāmay): From the root קוּם (qûm), meaning to rise, stand up, or take a stand. This refers to enemies who actively mobilize and assert themselves as challengers or opponents. The phrase emphasizes God's action of placing David above the reach and power of those who aggressively oppose him.

• You deliver me (תַּצִּילֵנִי - taṣṣîlēnî): From the verb נָצַל (nāṣal), meaning to snatch away, deliver, or rescue. Similar to "rescues," but often implies a swift, forceful, or urgent snatching from danger. The repetition of deliverance verbs reinforces the certainty and totality of God's salvific work.

• from the violent man (מֵאִישׁ חָמָס - mē’îš ḥāmās): A descriptive phrase.

  • man (אִישׁ - ’îš): A generic term for a human being.
  • violent (חָמָס - ḥāmās): Refers to physical, ruthless, or cruel violence, wrong, or injustice. This singular "violent man" can represent a specific powerful oppressor (e.g., King Saul, Goliath, or Absalom) or be a generic term for anyone who uses unjust force, embodying a spirit of wickedness and destruction. God protects from this particular kind of intense evil.

• Words-group analysis

  • "He rescues me from my enemies.": This opening phrase establishes God's fundamental role as a deliverer from all broad categories of opposition. It signifies complete divine protection.
  • "You indeed lift me above those who rise up against me.": This segment elevates the nature of deliverance beyond mere escape. God not only saves but also exalts, granting triumph and superiority over those who sought to bring down His servant. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His ability to establish His chosen in power.
  • "You deliver me from the violent man.": This final phrase provides a specific, concrete example of the type of grave threat from which God delivers. It underlines God's protective shield against ruthless and physically destructive individuals, ensuring complete safety from malicious aggression. The repeated act of deliverance highlights the thoroughness of God's saving power.

Psalm 18 48 Bonus section

Psalm 18 is echoed in 2 Samuel 22, underscoring its significant role as a canonical and divinely inspired statement of David's faith and experience. This parallel strengthens its authority and timeless application. The repeated emphasis on "deliverance" and "rescue" in various Hebrew terms within a short verse stresses the totality and effectiveness of God's saving action—there is no partial rescue or lingering danger. Furthermore, this psalm is profoundly messianic; while directly applicable to David, it prophetically points to the ultimate King, Jesus, who would indeed be rescued from death (through resurrection), lifted up over all who rise against Him (conquering sin, death, and Satan), and who provides the ultimate deliverance from the ultimate violent man—the devil and his oppressive influence. David's experience serves as a pattern for God's divine elevation of His righteous servants.

Psalm 18 48 Commentary

Psalm 18:48 is a powerful testament to God's character as a deliverer and exalted protector. It flows from David's deeply personal experience of God's active intervention throughout his life's struggles against numerous adversaries, most notably Saul, who embodied the "violent man" in many ways. The verse highlights the comprehensive nature of God's salvation: it is not just passive escape, but an active, decisive rescue ("rescues," "delivers"). More profoundly, God elevates His chosen one ("You lift me up") above the very foes who sought to dominate or destroy him. This implies a repositioning of status and power, where the formerly hunted is now exalted above the hunter. This psalm serves as a foundational declaration of faith that God's people, even in the direst circumstances, can trust in His ability to not only save but to bring them to a position of triumph. In the New Testament, this triumph finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ's victory over sin, death, and spiritual foes, and believers are enabled to share in this victory through Him.

• Example 1 (Personal): When a believer faces intense, unjust opposition at work, remembering this verse can strengthen faith that God can not only bring them through but can also elevate their position or reputation despite the opposition.
• Example 2 (Spiritual): In spiritual warfare, believers can cling to this truth that God rescues from spiritual enemies and lifts them above the attacks of those who rise up, through the power of Christ.