Psalms 18:38
Psalms 18:38 in Multiple Translations
I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
I will smite them through, so that they shall not be able to rise: They shall fall under my feet.
I will give them wounds, so that they are not able to get up: they are stretched under my feet.
I struck them down—they couldn't get up. They fell at my feet.
I haue wounded them, that they were not able to rise: they are fallen vnder my feete.
I smite them, and they are not able to rise, They fall under my feet,
I will strike them through, so that they will not be able to rise. They shall fall under my feet.
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they have fallen under my feet.
When I strike them, they are not able to get up again; they lie on the ground, defeated.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 18:38
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Psalms 18:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 18:38
Study Notes — Psalms 18:38
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 18:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:38
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:38
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:38
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
- Sermons on Psalms 18:38
Context — The LORD Is My Rock
38I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.
39You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. 40You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 5:1–25 | Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David. ” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.” So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him. Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away. Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 22:39 | I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 23:5 | Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 10:1–19 | Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun. And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?” So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away. When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.” When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. And he placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.” So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him. When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem. When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped. Hadadezer sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, and they came to Helam with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them. When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him. But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there. When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 17:49–51 | Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him; and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 8:1–18 | Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots. When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze. When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze, and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued— from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders. |
| 7 | Psalms 47:3 | He subdues nations beneath us, and peoples under our feet. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 21:15–22 | Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines; but David became exhausted. Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.” Some time later at Gob, there was another battle with the Philistines. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. And there was still another battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha, and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him. So these four descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants. |
| 9 | Psalms 36:12 | There the evildoers lie fallen, thrown down and unable to rise. |
| 10 | 2 Samuel 18:7–8 | There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword. |
Psalms 18:38 Summary
This verse means that, with God's help, we can overcome any challenge or enemy that comes our way. Just like David, we can trust God to give us strength and victory, as seen in Psalms 18:39, where God arms David with strength for battle. We don't have to be afraid or try to fight our battles alone, because God is with us and will help us, just as He promised to be with Joshua in Joshua 1:9. By trusting in God's power and strength, we can overcome any obstacle and emerge victorious, as seen in Romans 8:37, where we are more than conquerors through Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'crush' enemies in Psalms 18:38?
In this context, 'crushing' enemies means to completely defeat and subdue them, as seen in Psalms 18:37, where David says he pursued and overtook his enemies until they were consumed, much like the Lord's promise to Joshua in Joshua 10:8 to give him victory over his enemies.
Is this verse promoting violence or aggression?
No, this verse is part of a larger narrative of David's trust in God's deliverance and salvation, as seen in Psalms 18:36, where David acknowledges God's broadening of his path, and in Psalms 18:39, where God arms David with strength for battle, similar to Ephesians 6:10-18, where believers are equipped with spiritual armor to stand against spiritual enemies.
How does this verse relate to my everyday life?
This verse reminds us that, as believers, our ultimate trust is in God's power and strength, not our own, as seen in Psalms 28:7, where David says the Lord is his strength and shield, and in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
Can I apply this verse to my personal struggles?
Yes, just as David trusted God for victory over his physical enemies, we can trust God to help us overcome spiritual enemies and struggles, as seen in Romans 8:37, where we are more than conquerors through Christ, and in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'enemies' in my life that I need to trust God to help me overcome, and how can I apply the principles of this verse to those struggles?
- In what ways can I trust God to 'broaden the path beneath me' and give me strength for battle, just as He did for David?
- How can I, like David, acknowledge and give thanks for God's deliverance and salvation in my life, as seen in this verse and the surrounding context?
- What does it mean for me to 'crush' my enemies, not in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense, with the help of God's power and strength?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:38
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:38
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:38
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:38
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:38
Sermons on Psalms 18:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Message 10 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker encourages the audience to be proactive in their faith and to share the message of God with others. They mention that they have free books available for |
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Israel in the End Times by David Pawson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the signs that Jesus gave regarding his second coming. He explains that there are four main signs: famine, wars, earthquakes in the world; a g |
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The Holy Spirit - Part 5 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the subtlety of Satan's tactics in deceiving and stealing the hearts of people through fair words and a fair presence. He emphasizes the impo |
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Cut Off Goliath's Head by Bob Jennings | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being fully committed to God and pursuing holiness. He encourages the audience to confront and overcome their besetting si |
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Five Stones - Part 1 by Bakht Singh | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of David and Goliath from the Bible. He emphasizes that this story is not just a familiar tale, but a love story that is often tol |
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Have Faith in God by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that true faith in God is simple and powerful, contrasting it with complex, reasoned faith that leads to confusion and disappointment. He warns against the |
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Do It God’s Way by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that faith often appears foolish from a worldly perspective, yet it is essential for trusting God's promises. He illustrates this through the stories of Da |






