Psalm 18 (17):49Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

From the Jewish people who stand in opposition to Me during My suffering, You will lift Me up in My resurrection. From the wicked one, You will rescue Me. From their unjust authority, You will set Me free.

My rescuer from those who oppose Me with rage - meaning from those who are disloyal. The furious opponents refer to the Jewish people, who insulted Him by labeling Him a Samaritan. And the unjust betrayer encompasses Judas and Pilate, who wrongfully sentenced the innocent to die.

Thus, You, who will accomplish all these promises in the days ahead, will rescue me from those who wrongfully stand against me and will cause those under my authority to submit to me.

My rescuer from my fierce adversaries These expressions reflect gratitude toward God. They are in the nominative form, yet their implication is one of addressing Him directly. O God, proclaims the One who avenges me, my Rescuer from my furious foes. The term "angry enemies" refers to the associates of Saul, who, while they lived, never ceased their hostility toward David. Alternatively, he may refer to wicked adversaries as demons. What David expressed earlier, he reiterates here, for he delights in returning to what brings about joy.

Triumph Through the Cross All that we have obtained comes from Him who, like a mighty bow, extended His arms upon the cross and intercedes for us every day.

In the same manner that David, following the arrival of our Savior, appears to remain alive and engages with humanity through his writings, poetry, and songs, thus exalting the Almighty across all nations, so too does the one who descends from his lineage—the subject of the previous references—who triumphed over those who conspired against Him. He proclaimed, “From them that rise up against me Thou wilt lift me up.” He leaves them behind but graciously offers His grace and truth to all peoples. Even now, He is present throughout the world, recognized by those who place their faith in Him, made evident in the Father through His Church.

In essence, it is a plea to acknowledge that God, my hope and strength, should be revered and exalted; He is the one who grants me triumphs and has brought the nations under my control. O God, You have rescued me from my foes. You have raised me above those who oppose me. You have saved me from wicked men. For this reason, I will extol You among the nations and sing praises to Your name. Have You not magnified the salvation of Your servant, the king? What abundant grace have You shown to Your anointed, David, and to his descendants for all generations?

Hostile adversaries, including Jews and various persecutors of Christ's Church, have seen others awaken to faith in the Lord Christ. In the bond of the Holy Church, they collectively exalt the name of the Lord. The man of lawlessness, the wicked spirit, has been banished from His Church by Christ the Lord through His power.