What does Psalms 18:27 mean?

"For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks." - Psalms 18:27

"For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks." - Psalms 18:27

Psalms 18:27 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks." This verse is part of a larger psalm, attributed to King David, and is a prayer of thanksgiving for God's deliverance from his enemies. The verse speaks to the righteous judgment of God and the contrast between the humble and the proud.

The context of this verse is important to understanding its full meaning. In the preceding verses, King David describes the dramatic way in which God came to his aid when he was in distress. He paints a vivid picture of God's power and might, using language such as "The earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth" (Psalms 18:7). David recounts how God rescued him from his enemies and delivered him to a place of safety and victory. It is in this context of triumph and rescue that David speaks the words of verse 27.

The theme of the verse is one of God's justice and mercy. David acknowledges that God saves the afflicted, those who are in need and oppressed. This reflects the broader theme of God's concern for the marginalized and oppressed throughout the Bible. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly shows compassion and care for those who are suffering, and this verse is a continuation of that theme. It is a reminder that God is on the side of the vulnerable and the mistreated.

The verse also speaks to the concept of humility and pride. The second part of the verse, "but wilt bring down high looks," makes it clear that God opposes pride and arrogance. The phrase "high looks" can be interpreted as an attitude of haughtiness and superiority. Throughout the Bible, God consistently opposes the proud and exalts the humble. This verse echoes the sentiment expressed in Proverbs 16:5, which says, "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished."

In addition to its thematic content, this verse contains symbolic significance. The contrast between the afflicted and the proud represents a broader dichotomy between the righteous and the wicked. The afflicted are those who recognize their need for God's help and are willing to seek Him, while the proud are those who rely on their own strength and resources. By using these contrasting images, the verse underscores the importance of humility and dependence on God.

Overall, Psalms 18:27 is a powerful declaration of God's justice and mercy. It emphasizes His concern for the oppressed and marginalized while also warning against pride and arrogance. The verse reflects the broader themes of humility, righteousness, and the divine judgment found throughout the Bible. It serves as a reminder to seek the help of God in times of trouble and to cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence on Him.

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Psalms 18:27 Artwork

Psalms 18:27 - "For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks."

Psalms 18:27 - "For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks."

"For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks." - Psalms 18:27

"For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks." - Psalms 18:27

Psalms 136:18 - "And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:"

Psalms 136:18 - "And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:"

Psalms 22:18 - "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."

Psalms 22:18 - "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."

"They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay." - Psalms 18:18

"They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay." - Psalms 18:18

"The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies." - Psalms 104:18

"The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies." - Psalms 104:18

"Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth." - Psalms 89:27

"Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth." - Psalms 89:27

Psalms 18:18 - "They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay."

Psalms 18:18 - "They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay."

"It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me." - Psalms 18:47

"It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me." - Psalms 18:47

"The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever." - Psalms 37:18

"The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever." - Psalms 37:18

Psalms 34:18

Psalms 34:18

Psalms 34:18

Psalms 34:18

"The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places." - Psalms 18:45

"The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places." - Psalms 18:45

Psalms 37:27 - "Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore."

Psalms 37:27 - "Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore."

"And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:" - Psalms 136:18

"And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:" - Psalms 136:18

"These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season." - Psalms 104:27

"These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season." - Psalms 104:27

Psalms 105:27 - "They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham."

Psalms 105:27 - "They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham."

Psalms 107:27 - "They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end."

Psalms 107:27 - "They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end."

Psalms 109:27 - "That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it."

Psalms 109:27 - "That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it."

"For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?" - Psalms 18:31

"For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?" - Psalms 18:31

Psalms 102:27 - "But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

Psalms 102:27 - "But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

Psalms 106:27 - "To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands."

Psalms 106:27 - "To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands."

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." - Psalms 34:18

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." - Psalms 34:18

"He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:" - Psalms 78:27

"He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:" - Psalms 78:27

Psalms 69:27 - "Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness."

Psalms 69:27 - "Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness."

Psalms 27:9 - "Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation."

Psalms 27:9 - "Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation."

Psalms 89:27 - "Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth."

Psalms 89:27 - "Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth."

Psalms 68:27 - "There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali."

Psalms 68:27 - "There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali."

Psalms 78:18 - "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."

Psalms 78:18 - "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."

"Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins." - Psalms 25:18

"Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins." - Psalms 25:18