Psalms 18:42
Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
Original Language Analysis
וְֽאֶשְׁחָקֵ֗ם
Then did I beat
H7833
וְֽאֶשְׁחָקֵ֗ם
Then did I beat
Strong's:
H7833
Word #:
1 of 8
to comminate (by trituration or attrition)
כְּעָפָ֥ר
them small as the dust
H6083
כְּעָפָ֥ר
them small as the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
2 of 8
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵי
before
H6440
פְּנֵי
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
ר֑וּחַ
the wind
H7307
ר֑וּחַ
the wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 8
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
Cross References
Isaiah 10:6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.Zechariah 10:5And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.2 Kings 13:7Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
Historical Context
Ancient victory language where defeated enemies were trampled and left as refuse in streets—imagery that modern readers find jarring but was standard in ancient Near Eastern conquest accounts.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you process Scripture's harsh judgment language alongside God's love?
- What does the finality of God's judgment teach about the seriousness of rebellion?
Analysis & Commentary
David beat enemies 'fine as dust before the wind,' casting them out like 'street mud.' The Hebrew 'shachaq' (beat fine) and 'riq' (pour out/empty) portray complete destruction and humiliation. Dust and mud imagery indicates utter defeat and contempt. This harsh language reflects ancient warfare's brutality and God's judgment. It anticipates Revelation's imagery of Christ treading the winepress of God's wrath (Revelation 19:15).