I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
Psalm 18:37 belongs to David's song of triumph and thanksgiving after God marvelously delivered him from his enemies, including Saul, sung as from the field of victory. The same psalm is recorded in 2 Samuel 22, where its historical connection is shown, while in the Psalms it stands as part of the collection of David's writings. The two are closely matched but not exactly alike, the version in 2 Samuel 22 carrying the song with very slight changes.
The verse portrays the speaker charging after fleeing enemies and keeping up the pursuit without turning back until they are overtaken and destroyed, perishing in wrath. That pursuit and complete defeat formed part of the victory God gave David. The victory came through God's strength and help, showing distrust of human strength and exaltation of God's power in confidence in His might and goodness.
The verse gives assurance of the ultimate overthrow of all wickedness and the triumph of all good. It reveals somewhat of the experience of Christ, David's greater Son. As a prophetic picture it shows Him pursuing and overcoming His enemies in the life-and-death struggle with evil, opening a window into His inner suffering and temptation.
As a resurrection psalm of Christ it shows His enemies did not triumph over Him, and His rising from the dead assures the resurrection of His saints. David's pursuit and defeat of his enemies points to Christ's victory won for believers over sin and spiritual enemies. As Old Testament teaching its moral instruction remains relevant to Christians and is not limited to Israel as a nation.
God girds His people with strength to press forward in battle without turning back until the enemy is consumed. The battle is not literal war with garments rolled in blood but the confrontation of good with evil, truth with error, and right with wrong against sin that is great and strong. In the valley of decision God's people pray for open doors, ask God to rise and gird them to meet the coming throng, and follow where His hand leads with a victor shout, fearing no overthrow. The verse gives lessons of trust and confidence in God that are instructive, devout, helpful, elevating, and worshipful.
Psalm 18:37 belongs to David's song of triumph and thanksgiving after God marvelously delivered him from his enemies, including Saul, sung as from the field of victory. The same psalm is recorded in 2 Samuel 22, where its historical connection is shown, while in the Psalms it stands as part of the collection of David's writings. The two are closely matched but not exactly alike, the version in 2 Samuel 22 carrying the song with very slight changes.
The verse portrays the speaker charging after fleeing enemies and keeping up the pursuit without turning back until they are overtaken and destroyed, perishing in wrath. That pursuit and complete defeat formed part of the victory God gave David. The victory came through God's strength and help, showing distrust of human strength and exaltation of God's power in confidence in His might and goodness.
The verse gives assurance of the ultimate overthrow of all wickedness and the triumph of all good. It reveals somewhat of the experience of Christ, David's greater Son. As a prophetic picture it shows Him pursuing and overcoming His enemies in the life-and-death struggle with evil, opening a window into His inner suffering and temptation.
As a resurrection psalm of Christ it shows His enemies did not triumph over Him, and His rising from the dead assures the resurrection of His saints. David's pursuit and defeat of his enemies points to Christ's victory won for believers over sin and spiritual enemies. As Old Testament teaching its moral instruction remains relevant to Christians and is not limited to Israel as a nation.
God girds His people with strength to press forward in battle without turning back until the enemy is consumed. The battle is not literal war with garments rolled in blood but the confrontation of good with evil, truth with error, and right with wrong against sin that is great and strong. In the valley of decision God's people pray for open doors, ask God to rise and gird them to meet the coming throng, and follow where His hand leads with a victor shout, fearing no overthrow. The verse gives lessons of trust and confidence in God that are instructive, devout, helpful, elevating, and worshipful.