You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.
Parallel translations
- KJV Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
- BSB You have made my enemies retreat before me; I put an end to those who hated me.
- NKJV You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.
- NASB “You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, And I destroyed those who hated me.
- NLT You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God made David's enemies flee so he could cut off those who hated him. The Lord routed his foes and gave him victory.
Overview
David recalls how God turned his enemies to flight, granting him decisive conquest over those hostile to God's king. The deliverance is God's doing. As with all of David's victories, it prefigures the triumph of the Messiah over every power that opposes God's purposes.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Exod 23:27I will send my terror before you, and will confuse all the people to whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.
- Josh 10:24When they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who went with him, “Come near. Put your feet on the necks of these kings.” They came near, and put their feet on their necks.
- Ps 18:40–41You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.
- Ps 21:8–9Your hand will find out all of your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you.
- 2 Th 1:8–9giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,
- Luke 19:27But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’”
- Luke 19:14But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’
- Gen 49:8“Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you.
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 22:41 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.