Psalms 18:47

47 God gives me vengeance! He brings people under my authority.

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);


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 will lose heart, and they will tremble when they come out of their fortifications.
46 The LORD lives! Thanks be to my rock! May God my Savior be honored.
47 God gives me vengeance! He brings people under my authority.
48 He saves me from my enemies. You lift me up above my opponents. You rescue me from violent people.
49 That is why I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the nations and make music to praise your name.
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