Psalms 55:18

18 He will ¹redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are ²many who strive with 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 shall call upon God, And the LORD will save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.

18 He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me.

19 God will hear and answer them- Even the one who sits enthroned from of old - Selah. With whom there is no change, And who do not fear God.

20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 103:4
• 2. Psalms 56:2

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "so that none may approach me"