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. 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.
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people belongs to David's song of thanksgiving and triumph after marvelous deliverance from his enemies, including Saul, sung on the field of victory. It describes God's deliverance and victory over enemies and expresses glorious victory, with God granting the speaker a monarch's sway and subduing his foes. The psalm is placed among David's writings as part of the collection of his songs.
It is also recorded in 2 Samuel 22, closely paralleling that account and showing its historical connection. The wording differs very slightly, with some differences in expression, and no two chapters in the Bible are exactly alike. In its plain sense God delivered David from conflict and strivings among the peoples and made him head and ruler over foreign nations. He granted him a monarch's sway and subdued his foes, so that a people he had not known serve him and come under his rule. Among those brought under rule were some who yielded only outward obedience through fear.
The song shows mistrust of human strength and exaltation of God's power, with confidence in God's might and goodness. It gives assurance of the ultimate overthrow of all wickedness and the triumph of all good, giving wonderful lessons of trust and confidence in God. It remains instructive, devout, helpful, elevating and worshipful. The psalm is a prophetic word-picture of Christ's experience and feelings in struggle with the enemy, revealing what he endured in his inmost soul, so that in David's triumph may be read something of the experience of Christ as great David's greater Son.
David's subduing of enemies points to Christ's victory over sin and spiritual foes. Being made head over the nations applies to Jesus Christ as the center of prophecy and the confirmation of every promise. It shows that people beyond the Jews have yielded and will yield to him, while at his coming some will obey only outwardly. Though part of the Old Testament revelation to the Jews as the people of God of that dispensation, what it teaches in morality concerns Christians as the people of God of this dispensation. It belongs to God's message to a fallen race in which every part teaches the plan of redemption and consequent duty.