Bible Strands
Psalms 18:17
He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks as the psalmist recounting divine rescue amid immediate peril. The declaration follows a description of God drawing him from deep waters and precedes a statement of divine support during confrontation.
The words — The Hebrew יַצִּילֵנִי (ya.tzi.le.ni) literally means "he rescued me." The phrase כִּי אָמְצוּ מִמֶּנִּי (ki 'am.tzu mi.me.ni) translates to "for they were too strong for me."
The thread — The motif of divine rescue from overpowering foes appears in Hebrews 2:14 and Psalms 35:10. It also resonates with the fierce opposition described in Job 16:9.
Why it lands — The text states that human strength fails against overwhelming opposition while divine intervention succeeds. It demands recognition that deliverance depends on external rescue rather than self-reliance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 2:14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
- Job 16:9 His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes.
- Psalms 35:10 All my bones will exclaim, “Who is like You, O LORD, who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor, the poor and needy from the robber?”
- Psalms 142:6 Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.
- Psalms 69:4 Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- Psalms 118:7 The LORD is on my side; He is my helper. Therefore I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
- 2 Samuel 22:1 And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
- 2 Samuel 22:18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me.
- Psalms 9:13 Be merciful to me, O LORD; see how my enemies afflict me! Lift me up from the gates of death,