Psalms 18:47

47 This is the God who avenges on my behalf, who subdues people before me,

Psalms 18:47 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 18:47

[It is] God that avengeth me
Or "gives vengeance unto me", or "for me" ^F20: vengeance only belongs to God, and he repays it for and in behalf of his people. Private revenge is not to be exercised by any; public vengeance on delinquents may be exercised by the civil magistrate, to whom God gives power and authority to exercise it, ( Romans 13:4 ) ; as he did to David, as king of Israel; though the phrase rather seems to design the victories which he obtained over his enemies, which were punishments to them, vengeances inflicted on them; and owing to God; so the acceptable year of the Messiah's coming, and the time of his people redeemed by him, is called the day of vengeance of our God, both on his and their enemies, ( Isaiah 61:2 ) ( 63:4 ) ;

and subdueth the people under me;
the Edomites, Moabites, and others, as in ( 2 Samuel 8:1 2 Samuel 8:2 2 Samuel 8:5 2 Samuel 8:14 ) , or the Gentiles under Christ; (See Gill on Psalms 18:39);

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (yl twmqn Ntwnh) "qui dat ultiones mihi", Pagninus, Gejerus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Musculus, Cocceius, Michaelis.

Psalms 18:47 In-Context

45 Foreigners lose their nerve; they come trembling out of their fortresses.

46 The LORD lives! Bless God, my rock! Let the God of my salvation be lifted high!

47 This is the God who avenges on my behalf, who subdues people before me,

48 who delivers me from my enemies. Yes, you lifted me high above my adversaries; you delivered me from violent people.

49 That's why I thank you, LORD, in the presence of the nations. That's why I sing praises to your name.