Psalms 18:43
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Original Language Analysis
תְּפַלְּטֵנִי֮
Thou hast delivered
H6403
תְּפַלְּטֵנִי֮
Thou hast delivered
Strong's:
H6403
Word #:
1 of 10
to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver
עַ֖ם
a people
H5971
עַ֖ם
a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
תְּ֭שִׂימֵנִי
and thou hast made
H7760
תְּ֭שִׂימֵנִי
and thou hast made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
4 of 10
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לְרֹ֣אשׁ
me the head
H7218
לְרֹ֣אשׁ
me the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
5 of 10
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
גּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
H1471
גּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 10
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
עַ֖ם
a people
H5971
עַ֖ם
a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Isaiah 55:5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.2 Samuel 3:1Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.2 Samuel 19:9And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.Isaiah 52:15So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.Ephesians 1:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,1 Peter 2:10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.Acts 5:31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.Romans 15:12And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.Romans 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Historical Context
Reflects David's empire extending beyond Israel to include vassal states and tributary nations, fulfilling God's promise of expanded territory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God expand your influence beyond your natural sphere?
- In what ways do you see Christ's universal reign unfolding?
Analysis & Commentary
God delivered David from 'strife of the peoples' and made him 'head of nations.' The Hebrew 'riyb' (strife/contention) suggests both internal and external conflict. Being head ('rosh') over nations indicates expanded rule beyond Israel. People David didn't know served him. This anticipates Christ's reign over all nations (Psalm 2:8, Philippians 2:10-11) and the gathering of Gentiles into God's kingdom.