Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
Parallel translations
- WEB You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who 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 makes David's enemies flee so he can destroy those who hate him. The Lord routs the opposition and secures the king's triumph.
Overview
The image of enemies turning their backs signals defeat and flight. God grants David the upper hand over those bent on his harm. As the anointed king's deliverance, this scene foreshadows the day when all who hate God's Messiah are put to flight before him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 18:40 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.