He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

PSALMS 18:17KJV
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Psalms 18:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 18:17 mean?

Psalms 18:17 describes how God rescued the speaker from powerful enemies who hated him and were stronger than he was. The verse highlights that the speaker could not have escaped or overcome these enemies by his own strength.

David, the writer of this psalm, is speaking about a time in his life when he was in real danger from people who wanted to harm him. He is looking back and recognizing that God stepped in to deliver him from situations where he was outmatched and overwhelmed. This verse is part of a larger song where David thanks God for saving him from his enemies and from King Saul.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 18:17

  • "Delivered" (נָצַל, natsal, H5337) means to snatch away or rescue. This word emphasizes that the help was decisive and came from outside the person needing rescue, not from their own effort.
  • "Strong" (עָז, az, H5794) describes the enemy as mighty or fierce. This shows that the threat was real and intimidating, not something minor.
  • "Enemy" (אֹיֵב, oyev, H341) is the standard Hebrew word for someone who is hostile or actively opposes another. In David’s context, this refers to those who were truly seeking his harm.
  • "Hated" (שָׂנֵא, sane, H8130) means to be deeply disliked or detested. The verse points out that the opposition was not just physical but also personal and emotional.
  • "Strong" (אַמִּיץ, amits, H553) is a different Hebrew word for strength, often carrying the sense of being courageous or bold. Here, it underlines that David’s enemies had an advantage in power or resources.

Why Psalms 18:17 matters

  • Psalms 18:17 makes clear that David’s rescue was not due to his own ability but because God intervened when he was outmatched, correcting the idea that faith always means personal strength.
  • The verse emphasizes both the physical danger and the emotional weight of being hated, showing that God’s deliverance covers all kinds of threats.
  • This verse ties into the larger psalm, where David recounts specific times God saved him, helping readers see the personal nature of God’s help in real-life struggles.

Where else these words appear

“strong” Hebrew H5794 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • Judges 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
  • Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

“strong” Hebrew H553 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
  • 2 Samuel 22:18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
  • Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

“hated” Hebrew H8130 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them,(though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
  • Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: