Psalms 55:18

18 He safely redeems my life from [the] battle against me, because [those standing] against me are among many.

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 call to God, and Yahweh will save me.
17 {Morning, noon and night} I will lament and groan loudly, and he will hear my voice.
18 He safely redeems my life from [the] battle against me, because [those standing] against me are among many.
19 God will hear and answer them, [he] who [is] enthroned from of old, Selah Because they do not change, and they do not fear God.
20 He has put forth his hands against {his friends}; he has defiled his covenant.

Footnotes 1

Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.