Psalms Chapter 18 verse 40 Holy Bible
Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me.
read chapter 18 in ASV
By you their backs are turned in flight, so that my haters are cut off.
read chapter 18 in BBE
And mine enemies didst thou make to turn their backs unto me, and those that hated me I destroyed.
read chapter 18 in DARBY
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
read chapter 18 in KJV
For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
read chapter 18 in WBT
You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, That I might cut off those who hate me.
read chapter 18 in WEB
As to mine enemies -- Thou hast given to me the neck, As to those hating me -- I cut them off.
read chapter 18 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 40. - Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; i.e. "thou hast made them turn their backs upon me in flight" (comp. Exodus 23:27, where the same expression is used). That I might destroy them that hate me. David must not be supposed to speak from personal animosity. He expresses himself as the king of God's people, bound to do his utmost to protect them, and to deliver them from the enemies who "hate" him only because he is the leader and champion of his countrymen. The neighbouring nations in David's time seem to have been bent on the total extirpation of the Hebrew people.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(40) Thou hast also given.--Literally, and as to mine enemies, thou gavest to me the back, which either means "turned to flight so that only their backs were visible" (Jeremiah 18:17 and Psalm 21:12), or alludes to the common symbolism of defeat--trampling on an enemy's neck.
