Psalms 55:18

18 He hath ransomed in peace my soul From him who is near to me, For with the multitude they were 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 I -- to God I call, and Jehovah saveth me.

17 Evening, and morning, and noon, I meditate, and make a noise, and He heareth my voice,

18 He hath ransomed in peace my soul From him who is near to me, For with the multitude they were with me.

19 God doth hear and afflict them, And He sitteth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, and fear not God,

20 He hath sent forth his hands against his well-wishers, He hath polluted his covenant.