Psalms 55:18

18 He has taken my soul away from the attack which was made against me, and given it peace; for great numbers were against me.

Psalms 55:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 55:18

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle [that was]
against me
That is, God had preserved his life, and delivered him safe and sound from many a battle which was fought against him, and might seem at first to go against him; and had given him peace and rest from all his enemies before the present trouble came upon him, ( 2 Samuel 7:1 ) ; wherefore he believed, that he who had delivered him in time past would deliver him again; this is the reasoning of faith, ( 2 Corinthians 1:9 2 Corinthians 1:10 ) ( 2 Timothy 4:17 2 Timothy 4:18 ) . The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, render the last clause, "from them that draw nigh unto thee"; and the Syriac version renders it, by way of petition, "deliver my soul from them that know me"; and the Targum,

``lest evil should come unto me;''

for there were many with me;
either enemies fighting with him; and so this is mentioned to set forth the more the power of God in his deliverance: or friends, who were on his side; all Israel and Judah, who loved David and prayed for him, as Jarchi interprets it: or the angels of God, as Aben Ezra; who being for the Lord's people, are more than they that are against them, ( 2 Kings 6:16 ) ; or God, Father, Son, and Spirit; and if he is for us, who shall be against us? ( Romans 8:31 ) . The Targum is,

``for in many afflictions his Word was for my help.''

Psalms 55:18 In-Context

16 As for me, I will make my prayer to God, and he will be my saviour.

17 In the evening and in the morning and in the middle of the day I will make my prayer with sounds of grief; and my voice will come to his ears.

18 He has taken my soul away from the attack which was made against me, and given it peace; for great numbers were against me.

19 God will give thought to me; he who from early times is strong will send pain and trouble on them. (Selah.) Because they are unchanged, they have no fear of God.

20 He has put out his hand against those who were at peace with him; he has not kept his agreement.