Psalms 18:39 — Word Study
WLCוַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חַ֭יִל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה תַּכְרִ֖יעַ קָמַ֣י תַּחְתָּֽי׃
BSAmy foesqûwm [enemies, those who rise up against me] beneath metachath [under, underneath, at my feet]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי | and you girded me | Verb piel sequential imperfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
| חַ֭יִל | strength | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה | for the battle | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| תַּכְרִ֖יעַ | you made bow down | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| קָמַ֣י | [those who] rose against me | Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| תַּחְתָּֽי׃ | under me | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. |
| KJV | For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. |
| ASV | For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. |
| YLT | And Thou girdest me [with] strength for battle, Causest my withstanders to bow under me. |
| WEB | For you have armed me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. |
| BBE | For I have been armed by you with strength for the fight: you have made low under me those who come out against me. |
Translations agree on the core meaning of the verse, emphasizing God's empowerment and the subjugation of foes.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by a participial phrase that elaborates on the action taken against the foes.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָפַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 18:39
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Strength in Battlegenerated
Psalm 18:39 is part of a larger reflection where the psalmist recounts God's deliverance from enemies and the strength He provides for battle. This psalm emphasizes God's role as a protector and warrior, highlighting the relationship between divine assistance and human struggle. The verses preceding and following this one reinforce the theme of God’s might and the psalmist's reliance on Him in times of conflict.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:32 | It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 30:24–25 | I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king and place My sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, who will groan before him like a mortally wounded man. |
| 3 | Psalm 66:3 | Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 22:40 | You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 22:18 | “Is not the LORD your God with you, and has He not granted you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land has been subdued before the LORD and His people. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חַ֭יִל, Cha.yilgenerated
The word חַ֭יִל (cha'yil) is a noun that signifies strength, might, or power. It encompasses not just physical strength but also moral and financial might, often associated with military contexts. The parsing indicates that it is a common masculine singular noun, suggesting a broad application in various situations where strength is required.
In this verse, it emphasizes the empowerment given by God to the psalmist, equipping him for the challenges of battle. This word reflects both the physical and spiritual strength that God provides, reinforcing the idea that true power comes from divine support.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is וַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי, and You girded me, which governs the entire verse. This is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating purpose: לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה, for battle, and a second clause that describes the action taken against the psalmist's foes.
The structure indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, where God’s empowerment leads to the subjugation of enemies, underscoring the psalmist's dependence on divine strength for victory.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew חַ֭יִל is rendered as δυνάμει, meaning 'power' or 'might'. This choice emphasizes the divine strength given to the psalmist, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but expanding it to a broader notion of power.
The translation of תַּכְרִ֖יעַ as πεσοῦνται suggests a focus on the act of falling or being brought low, which aligns with the idea of enemies being humbled before the psalmist.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 18:39 states that God has equipped the psalmist with strength for battle and has caused his enemies to bow down before him. This reflects God's support in times of conflict and highlights the relationship between divine strength and victory over adversaries.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God provides the necessary power and ability to face challenges and conflicts, ensuring that the psalmist is prepared for battle.
God humbles and brings down enemies, ensuring that they cannot stand against those whom He empowers.
While it speaks to physical conflict, it also represents spiritual battles, emphasizing God's strength in all forms of struggle.
It teaches that reliance on God's strength is crucial in overcoming obstacles and adversaries, both in physical and spiritual realms.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to rely more on God's strength?
- How can I recognize God's support during my personal battles?
- What does it mean for me to have my enemies subdued beneath me in a modern context?
- How can I prepare myself spiritually to face challenges, as the psalmist did?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, reflecting on God's strength in spiritual warfare and the empowerment of believers.
If fighters find themselves being assailed and assailing in return, and if the demons fight against us, then they too when they assail us will be assailed by us in return.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
"And You have girded me with strength to the war" [Psalms 18:39]. And the loose desires of my flesh have You bound up with strength, that in such a fight I may not be encumbered.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 18:39 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor thou hast girded me with strength unto battle,.... See Psalms 18:32; that natural strength, courage and valour, which David had, were from the Lord; and so is the Spirit of power, love, and of a
Read John Gill on Psalms 18 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFor thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Here follows the fourth section of the psalm.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 18 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe repeats what he had said , lest he should seem to arrogate to himself his great achievements and victories mentioned ,38, and that he might give God the whole praise and glory of them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 18 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.Ver. 39. Thou hast girded me with strength, &c.] See Psalms 18:32. It is God that weakeneth or strengtheneth either part, Ezekiel 30:24, and rendereth their weapons vain or prosperous, Isaiah 54:17 Jeremiah 50:9. Thou hast subdued under me, &c.] David ascribeth all to God, and useth wonderful variety of expressions in setting forth his benefts.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 18 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(37-40) Another retrospective glance of the poet over his past wars. Notice slight variations in Samuel.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 18 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges39–42. Thus God gave him victory over all his enemies.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 18 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleFor thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle - See the note at Psalms 18:32. Compare Job 12:18; Proverbs 31:17. Thou hast subdued under me - Margin, as in Hebrew, caused to bow.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 18 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible39. Girded me with strength—Putting on the military girdle completed the military dress.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 18 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.
For you have armed me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.
You give me strength for battle; you make my foes kneel before me.
Tyndale line
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
For thou hast girded me with strength to battell: them, that rose against me, thou hast subdued vnder me.
Strictly literal
And thou girdedst me with strength to battle; thou didst subdue under me those that rose up against me.
And Thou girdest me [with] strength for battle, Causest my withstanders to bow under me.
And You gird me [with] strength for battle, || You cause my withstanders to bow under me.
(18:40) For thou hast girded me with strength for the war: thou subduest my opponents under me.
For you put strength on me like a belt for battle; you put under me those who rise up against me.
Simplified
You made me strong for battle; you made those who rose up against me kneel down before me.
For I have been armed by you with strength for the fight: you have made low under me those who come out against me.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 18:39 reads, "וַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חַ֭יִל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה תַּכְרִ֖יעַ קָמַ֣י תַּחְתָּֽי׃" which translates to, "You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching all six words in a word-by-word correspondence, though its own structure may differ. The Dead Sea Scrolls present some variations: 4Q85 and 5/6hev1b contain fragments that include parts of the verse but also have words that were restored or supplied by editors, indicating a less complete preservation of the text. 11Q8 has even fewer words, with significant restoration involved. Overall, while the Septuagint aligns with the Masoretic Text, the Dead Sea Scrolls show variations and incomplete preservation of this verse.
וַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חַ֭יִל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה תַּכְרִ֖יעַ קָמַ֣י תַּחְתָּֽי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
אמחצ׳ם [ולא] [יכלו] [קום] [יפלו] [תחת] [רגל׳י]
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
אמחצ׳ם ולא יכלו קום [יפלו] [תחת] רגל׳י
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
יפולו [תחת] [רגל׳י]
3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 18:39
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gird, encompass, or equip. It has various forms, including Qal (to gird), Niphal (to be girded), and Piel (to hold close). The word conveys a sense of preparation and strength, often used in contexts related to readiness for action or war.
[אָזַר] vb. gird, encompass, equip
Qal gird, gird on
Niph. girded with might
Pi. gird
Hithp. gird oneself
base
H247 [אָזַר] gird, encompass, equip
247 'azar aw-zar'
a primitive root; to belt:--bind (compass) about, gird (up,
with).
אָזַר (a.zar) — to gird.
1) gird, encompass, equip, clothe
1a) (Qal) to gird, gird on (metaphorical of strength)
1b) (Niphal) be girded
1c)(Piel) hold close, clasp
1d) (Hiphpael) gird oneself (for war)
Hc/Vpw2ms/Sp1bs — Verb piel sequential imperfect second person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vpw2ms/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word חַ֫יִל (*chayil*) encompasses meanings related to strength, efficiency, wealth, and army. It is derived from a root meaning force and can refer to physical might, moral virtue, or resources. The entries consistently highlight its application to soldiers and military forces, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
חַ֫יִל 244 n.m. strength, efficiency, wealth, army
strength, usu. physical
ability, efficiency, often involving moral worth
wealth
force, army
base
H2428 חַ֫יִל strength, efficiency, wealth, army
2428 chayil khah'-yil
from 2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other
resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength:--able,
activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great)
forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong,
substance, train, (+)valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war,
worthy(-ily).
see HEBREW for 02342
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army
חֵילֵךְ (che.lek) — Helech.
§ Helech = "your army"
a place near Arvad and Gammad
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength.
: strong
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army, soldiers/army
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: rich.
: rich/wealth
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army
חַ֫יִל (cha.yil) — strength: worthy.
: worthy
1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
1a) strength
1b) ability, efficiency
1c) wealth
1d) force, army
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
מִלְחָמָה (milchamah) means 'battle' or 'war.' It is derived from the root word for fighting and encompasses both specific engagements and the broader concept of warfare. The entries consistently define it in this way, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מִלְחָמָה 319 n.f. battle, war
base
H4421 מִלְחָמָה battle, war
4421 milchamah mil-khaw-maw'
from 3898 (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the
engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare):--battle,
fight(-ing), war((-rior)).
see HEBREW for 03898
מִלְחָמָה (mil.cha.mah) — battle.
battle, war
HRd/Ncfsa — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
See WAR.
כָּרַע (kara`) means to bow down or bend the knee. It encompasses actions like kneeling in reverence, crouching, or sinking down, and can also imply causing someone or something to bow. The term appears in various contexts, including expressions of grief and submission.
כָּרַע bow down
Qal
bow
bow down, of the crouching lion
bow down over (in order to lie with) a woman
bow down, of a woman in childbirth
Hiph.
cause to bow in grief
cause to bow down in death
base
H3766 כָּרַע bow down
3766 kara` kaw-rah'
a primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink,
to prostrate:--bow (down, self), bring down (low), cast down,
couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down,
subdue, X very.
כָּרַע (ka.ra) — to bow.
1) to bend, kneel, bow, bow down, sink down to one's knees, kneel down to rest (of animals), kneel in reverence
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bow
1a2) to bow down, crouch
1a3) to bow down over
1a4) to tilt, lean
1b) (Hiphil) to cause to bow
HVhi2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singularHVhi2ms
The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand
Qal 460
arise
arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
arise, abs., = become powerful
arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
arise for, i.e. to become
arise for action
arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
stand
Pi.
fulfil
confirm, ratify
confirm, establish
impose, an obligation
Pō‛l. raise up
Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up
Hiph.
146cause to arise, raise
raise, set up, stones
erect, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = bring on the scene
raise up = rouse, stir up
instigate, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = constitute
cause to stand
Hoph. be raised up
base
H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise
. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
. arise, abs., = become powerful
. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
. arise for, i.e. to become
. . arise for action
. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
. stand
. . fulfil
. . confirm, ratify
. confirm, establish
. impose, an obligation
. raise up
. raise oneself, = rise up
. . cause to arise, raise
. . raise, set up, stones
. erect, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = bring on the scene
. . raise up = rouse, stir up
. instigate, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = constitute
. cause to stand
. be raised up
6965 quwm koom
a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,
figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X
be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X
enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift
up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise
(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse
up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,
strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -
rising).
קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.
Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)
§ -Kamai = "my adversary"
Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.
: rise/get_going
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to arise
1a2) to arise (hostile sense)
1a3) to arise, become powerful
1a4) to arise, come on the scene
1a5) to stand
1a5a) to maintain oneself
1a5b) to be established, be confirmed
1a5c) to stand, endure
1a5d) to be fixed
1a5e) to be valid
1a5f) to be proven
1a5g) to be fulfilled
1a5h) to persist
1a5i) to be set, be fixed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to fulfil
1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
1c) (Polel) to raise up
1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause to arise, raise
1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build
1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene
1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
1e5) to raise up, constitute
V-Qal-Inf-a — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHVqrmpc/Sp1bs
תַּחַת (tachath) refers to the concept of being underneath or below. It can function as a noun meaning 'the under part,' or as an adverb and preposition indicating position or substitution, such as 'instead of' or 'for the sake of.' The word encompasses various uses, including physical placement and metaphorical meanings related to subjection or exchange.
תַּחַת n.[m.] the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of
base
H8478 תַּחַת the under part, hence as adv. accus. and prep. underneath, below, instead of
8478 tachath takh'-ath
from the same as 8430; the bottom (as depressed); only
adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix
underneath), in lieu of, etc.:--as, beneath, X flat,
in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead
of, under, X unto, X when...was mine, whereas, (where-)fore,
with.
see HEBREW for 08430
תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: under.
: under/below
1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m
1a) the under part adv accus
1b) beneath prep
1c) under, beneath
1c1) at the foot of (idiom)
1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig)
1c3) of subjection or conquest
1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands
1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun)
1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense)
1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged)
conj
1e) instead of, instead of that
1f) in return for that, because that in compounds
1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion)
1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
תַּחַת (ta.chat) — underneath: instead.
: instead/in_place/exchange
Prep — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs