Psalms 18:43
Psalms 18:43 in Multiple Translations
You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; Thou hast made me the head of the nations: A people whom I have not known shall serve me.
You have made me free from the fightings of the people; you have made me the head of the nations: a people of whom I had no knowledge will be my servants.
You rescued me from rebellious people; you made me ruler over nations—people I didn't know now serve me.
Thou hast deliuered me from the contentions of the people: thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people, whom I haue not knowen, shall serue me.
Thou dost deliver me From the strivings of the people, Thou placest me for a head of nations, A people I have not known do serve me.
You have delivered me from the strivings of the people. You have made me the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
You enabled me to defeat those who fought against me, and appointed me to be the ruler of many nations; people whom I did not know about previously are now slaves in my kingdom.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 18:43
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 18:43 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְֽ/אֶשְׁחָקֵ֗/ם
כְּ/עָפָ֥ר
עַל
פְּנֵי
ר֑וּחַ
כְּ/טִ֖יט
חוּצ֣וֹת
אֲרִיקֵֽ/ם
וְֽ/אֶשְׁחָקֵ֗/ם
shâchaq
H7833
to beat
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
כְּ/עָפָ֥ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
Prep | N-ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
פְּנֵי
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
ר֑וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
כְּ/טִ֖יט
ṭîyṭ
H2916
mud
Prep | N-ms
חוּצ֣וֹת
chûwts
H2351
outside
N-mp
אֲרִיקֵֽ/ם
rûwq
H7324
to empty
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 18:43
וְֽ/אֶשְׁחָקֵ֗/ם
shâchaq
H7833
"to beat"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
This verb means to beat or pulverize something into small pieces, like grinding incense into a fine powder. In Isaiah 28:15, it describes God's judgment on his enemies, wearing them down like dust. The word is used about 10 times in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to rub away, beat fine, pulverise 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rub away 1a1a) of incense, stones 1a1b) of enemies (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: beat, wear. See also: Exodus 30:36; Job 14:19; Psalms 18:43.
כְּ/עָפָ֥ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
Prep | N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פְּנֵי
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
ר֑וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
כְּ/טִ֖יט
ṭîyṭ
H2916
"mud"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to mud or clay, and is also used figuratively to describe a difficult or calamitous situation. It appears in the Bible as a symbol of chaos or mess.
Definition: 1) mud, clay, mire, damp dirt 1a) mud, mire 1b) clay (poetical) Aramaic equivalent: tin (טִין "common" H2917)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: clay, dirt, mire. See also: 2 Samuel 22:43; Isaiah 57:20; Psalms 18:43.
חוּצ֣וֹת
chûwts
H2351
"outside"
N-mp
This word means outside or outdoors, referring to something beyond a wall or boundary. It can also mean a street or highway, as seen in various KJV translations, including abroad, field, and without.
Definition: outside, outward, street, the outside
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. See also: Genesis 6:14; 2 Chronicles 24:8; Psalms 18:43.
אֲרִיקֵֽ/ם
rûwq
H7324
"to empty"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
To empty or pour out, whether physically or figuratively, as in the pouring out of one's heart to God in Psalm 62:8. This verb can also mean to keep something empty or to cast something out. It is often used to describe a sense of abandonment or rejection.
Definition: 1) to make empty, empty out 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to empty, keep empty or hungry 1a2) to pour out or down 1a3) to empty out 1b) (Hophal) to be emptied out
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] arm, cast out, draw (out), (make) empty, pour forth (out). See also: Genesis 14:14; Jeremiah 48:11; Psalms 18:43.
Study Notes — Psalms 18:43
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 18:43 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:43
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:43
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:43
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:43
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
- Sermons on Psalms 18:43
Context — The LORD Is My Rock
41They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer.
42I ground them as dust in the face of the wind; I trampled them like mud in the streets.
43You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.
44When they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cower before me. 45Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 55:5 | Surely you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, has bestowed glory on you.” |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 3:1 | Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. |
| 3 | Isaiah 52:15 | so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard. |
| 4 | 1 Peter 2:10 | Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. |
| 5 | Ephesians 1:22 | And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 19:9 | And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. |
| 7 | Psalms 22:27–28 | All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations. |
| 8 | Romans 15:18 | I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, |
| 9 | 2 Samuel 22:44–46 | You have delivered me from the strife of my people; You have preserved me as the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me. Foreigners cower before me; when they hear me, they obey me. Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds. |
| 10 | Romans 15:12 | And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.” |
Psalms 18:43 Summary
This verse means that God can rescue us from difficult situations and conflicts, and He can give us influence and leadership over others, even people we may not know. This is not just about having power or control, but about trusting in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. As we trust in God, He can bring people into our lives who can help and support us, and we can be a blessing to them in return, just like Jesus taught us to love and serve others in Matthew 22:37-40.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be delivered from the strife of the people?
Being delivered from strife means that God has rescued us from conflict and discord, as seen in Psalms 18:43, and has given us peace, as promised in John 14:27 and Philippians 4:7.
How does God make someone the head of nations?
God can elevate individuals to positions of leadership and influence, as seen in the lives of Joseph in Genesis 41:38-41 and Daniel in Daniel 6:1-3, to fulfill His purposes and plans.
What does it mean for a people we had not known to serve us?
This phrase suggests that God can bring people into our lives who we may not have previously known or interacted with, and they can become a source of support and service, as seen in the story of Ruth and Naomi in the book of Ruth.
Is this verse only applicable to King David or can it apply to our lives today?
While Psalms 18:43 was written by King David, the principles of God's deliverance and exaltation can apply to our lives today, as we trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- How has God delivered you from strife and conflict in your own life, and how can you trust Him to do so in the future?
- What are some ways that God may be calling you to leadership or influence, and how can you prepare yourself for those opportunities?
- How can you be a servant to others, even those you may not know well, and demonstrate God's love and character to them?
- What are some ways that you can trust God to bring people into your life who can support and serve you, and how can you be a blessing to them in return?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:43
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people,.... In 2 Samuel 22:44, it is read "my people", meaning the people of Israel; either Saul and his men, who contended with David, and sought his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:43
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Here follows the fourth section of the psalm.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
From the strivings of the people; from contentions, and seditions, and tumults of my own people under Saul, and Ish-bosheth, and Absalom. The head of the heathen; of the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Syrians, and others. Whom I have not known; whom I had no acquaintance with, nor relation to, no, not by thy promise or grant; even barbarous and remote nations.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
Psalms 18:43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; [and] thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people [whom] I have not known shall serve me.Ver. 43. Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people] viz. In the rebellions under Absalom, and Sheba, the son of Bichri. These, like bubbles which children blow up into the air, were soon blown out; and fell into the eyes of those who with the blasts of disloyalty and ambition held up the same. Thou hast made me head of the heathen] Philistines, Syrians, Ammonites, &c. This is most true of Christ, head of his Church, which consisteth of all nations, and most of these were unknown unto him as man; and, by hearing of him, they were brought to submit unto him, when the apostles came and preached him among them. Hence it followeth,
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
(43) People.—The parallelism favours the interpretation which takes “people” as equivalent to peoples—the Gentiles. But as in Samuel it is “my people,” explain it of the early political troubles of David. Notice also in Samuel “preserved,” instead of “made.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
Verse 43. The strivings of the people] Disaffections and insurrections among my own subjects, as in the revolt of Absalom, the civil war of Abner in favour of Ish-bosheth, c. The head of the heathen] ראש גוים rosh goyim, "the chief," or "governor, of the nations" all the circumjacent heathen people; all these were subdued by David, and brought under tribute. A people whom I have not known] The people whom he knew were those of the twelve tribes; those whom he did not know were the Syrians, Philistines, Idumeans, &c. All these served him, that is, paid him tribute.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:43
43–45. The establishment of David’s dominion at home and abroad.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:43
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people - From the contentions of the people; or, from the efforts which they have made to overcome and subdue me.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:43
43. From the strivings of the people—This better applies to internal faction, such as was experienced during the seven years that Ishbosheth disputed the throne with David, rather than to foreign war. 2 Samuel 2-3.
Sermons on Psalms 18:43
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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It's Time to Seek the Lord by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of seeking the Lord in good times. He refers to the story of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14 as an example of seeking God's bless |
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I. the Jewish Sign by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes the significance of Israel in God's plan for the earth, highlighting how all other nations are considered in relation to Israel in the Bible. He dist |
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Our Daily Homily - 2 Samuel by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the life of David in 2 Samuel, emphasizing the beauty of love and forgiveness as demonstrated by David's tribute to Saul and Jonathan. He highlights the impo |
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David Wared Stronger and Stronger, by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit, illustrating that while the struggle is long and arduous, the Spirit must ultimately prevail. He encourag |
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Now Then Do It by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of making Christ the king of our lives, drawing parallels between David's anointing and Christ's role as the anointed one. He highlights how |
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The Cross in Isaiah 53 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the significance of the suffering of Jesus on the cross, which occurred 2,000 years ago. He describes it as a remarkable strategy from God to |
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On His Head Are Many Crowns by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal story about his father and the impact of his faith. He emphasizes the importance of surrendering oneself completely to God and findin |