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Psalm 18:47
even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me.
45The foreigners shall fade away, and shall come trembling out of their strongholds.
46The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock. Exalted be the God of my salvation,
47even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me.
48He rescues me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.
49Therefore I will give thanks to you, LORD, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.
Notice
Vengeance and subdued peoples give David’s song of rescue a hard edge that resists easy application to a reader’s own conflicts.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What changes in your reading when you hear these words from a king rescued from violent enemies?
Write on thisWhere, if anywhere, do you find yourself wanting God to vindicate your side of a conflict?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 47:3He subdues nations under us, and peoples under our feet.Both passages describe God subduing peoples, with Psalm 18 speaking of subjection under David and Psalm 47 under the worshiping community.
Romans 12:19Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”Both passages attribute vengeance to God; Romans makes explicit the command that believers must leave revenge in his hands.
Judges 4:23So God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel on that day.Both credit God with subduing opponents; Judges names Jabin, king of Canaan, as the ruler brought down before Israel.
Psalm 144:2my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.Both speakers credit God with subduing people under them, though Psalm 144 speaks of the speaker’s own people.
2 Samuel 22:48even the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,Both texts use the phrase “the God who executes vengeance for me” and describe peoples brought under the speaker.
Nahum 1:2The LORD is a jealous God and avenges. The LORD avenges and is full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his …Both name God as the one who takes vengeance; Nahum adds explicit language about his wrath against his enemies.
1 Corinthians 15:28When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.Both speak of subjection under God’s rule, though Paul describes all things and the Son rather than peoples under David.
Judges 5:2“Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, LORD!Both belong to songs honoring God, though Judges names willing leaders and people rather than God’s vengeance.
1 Samuel 14:24The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged …Both concern vengeance against enemies, but Saul demands a fast until he is avenged, while David credits God with vengeance.
Deuteronomy 32:35Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides, for the day of their calamity is at hand. Their doom rushes at them.”Both identify vengeance as God’s work; Deuteronomy also speaks of the appointed time when calamity comes.
Acts 26:22Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses …Both speakers credit God with help, though Acts describes Paul’s continued testimony rather than the subduing of peoples.
Revelation 18:20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets, for God has judged your judgment on her.”Both describe God acting in judgment on behalf of his people, with Revelation addressing saints, apostles, and prophets.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
David credits God with vengeance and the defeat of peoples. His song gives you no license for personal revenge; judgment belongs to God, whose help David praises.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).