For You save an afflicted people
This phrase highlights God's compassion and deliverance for those who are oppressed or suffering. In biblical context, the "afflicted" often refers to those who are poor, marginalized, or experiencing hardship. The Psalms frequently emphasize God's care for the downtrodden, as seen in Psalm 34:6, where God hears the cry of the afflicted. Historically, Israel often found itself in situations of affliction, whether under Egyptian bondage or during the Babylonian exile, and God's deliverance was a recurring theme. This phrase also foreshadows the ministry of Jesus Christ, who proclaimed good news to the poor and set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18).

but You humble those with haughty eyes
This part of the verse contrasts God's treatment of the proud with His care for the humble. "Haughty eyes" symbolize arrogance and self-exaltation, which are attitudes that God opposes. Proverbs 16:18 warns that pride precedes destruction, and this theme is consistent throughout Scripture. The humbling of the proud is evident in the story of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4, where his arrogance leads to his downfall until he acknowledges God's sovereignty. This phrase also points to the ultimate humbling of Satan, whose pride led to his fall. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matthew 23:12), reinforcing the principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

1. David
- The author of Psalm 18, David is expressing his gratitude and praise to God for deliverance from his enemies, including King Saul.

2. God
- The central figure in this verse, God is portrayed as the savior of the humble and the one who brings down the proud.

3. Afflicted People
- Those who are oppressed or suffering, whom God promises to save.

4. Haughty Eyes
- A metaphor for prideful individuals who are self-exalted and whom God will humble.God's Favor on the Humble
God delights in saving those who are humble and afflicted. We should strive to maintain a humble heart, recognizing our dependence on Him.

The Danger of Pride
Pride leads to downfall. We must guard against arrogance and self-exaltation, remembering that God opposes the proud.

God's Justice
God is just and fair, lifting the humble and bringing down the proud. Trust in His righteous judgment and timing.

Dependence on God for Deliverance
In times of affliction, turn to God for salvation and deliverance, knowing He is faithful to those who seek Him with humility.

Reflecting God's Character
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect God's character by showing compassion to the afflicted and maintaining humility in our own lives.1. What is the meaning of Psalm 18:27?

2. How does Psalm 18:27 encourage humility in our daily walk with God?

3. What does "save the humble" reveal about God's character and priorities?

4. How can we apply the principle of humility in our community interactions?

5. Which other scriptures emphasize God's support for the humble and lowly?

6. How can we identify and remove prideful attitudes in our spiritual lives?

7. How does Psalm 18:27 reflect God's view on humility and pride?

8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 18:27?

9. How does Psalm 18:27 align with archaeological findings from the biblical era?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 18?

11. What is the Bible's perspective on schizophrenia?

12. In Psalm 131:1, how can we be sure David actually wrote this psalm when authorship is disputed by some scholars?

13. (Psalm 118:17) Does the assertion 'I shall not die, but live' contradict mortality or promise an unrealistic divine protection?

14. What is the Leviathan Spirit?For You save an afflicted people

“ For You save an afflicted people ” (Psalm 18:27a)

• David testifies that the Lord steps in to rescue those weighed down by trouble or oppression—exactly what he had experienced while pursued by Saul (2 Samuel 22:28, the parallel passage).

• Throughout Scripture the afflicted find God’s nearness: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

• Salvation here includes very real, physical deliverance, yet it also foreshadows the greater spiritual rescue fulfilled in Christ: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

• God’s pattern is consistent: He “revives the spirit of the lowly” (Isaiah 57:15) and “raises the poor from the dust” (1 Samuel 2:8).

• For believers today this verse reassures us that no depth of distress is beyond His reach (2 Corinthians 1:10).

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but You humble those with haughty eyes

“ …but You humble those with haughty eyes ” (Psalm 18:27b)

• “Haughty eyes” picture proud hearts that exalt self above God and others (Proverbs 6:16–17).

• The Lord actively brings pride low: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

• Biblical history supplies vivid examples:

– Pharaoh resisted the Lord and was overthrown (Exodus 10:3; 14:27-28).

– King Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his power and was driven out until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty (Daniel 4:30-37).

– Herod Agrippa accepted praise as a god and immediately met judgment (Acts 12:21-23).

• The humbling may involve loss of status, resources, or reputation, but its goal is restorative—inviting repentance and faith (Luke 1:51-52).

• For believers, the warning is timely: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (Philippians 2:3).

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summary

Psalm 18:27 sets two unchanging realities side by side: God rescues the humble who cry out, and He brings down the proud who rely on themselves. Our choice is clear—embrace humility, trust His saving power, and rest in the assurance that the Lord is forever the champion of the afflicted and the defeater of arrogance.

(27) High looks.--See variation in Samuel.

The afflicted people.--Better, afflicted folk, with no distinctive reference to Israel, except, of course, I when the poem became adapted for congregational use.

Verse 27. - For thou wilt save the afflicted people; i.e. the oppressed and down-trodden, who are assumed to be pious and God-fearing (comp. Psalm 10:12-14; Psalm 11:2, etc.). But wilt bring down high looks (comp. Psalm 101:5 and Proverbs 6:17). The fact of "pride going before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall," was noticed by the heathen of the ancient world, no less than by the" peculiar people." And both alike attributed the downfall of the proud to God. "Seest thou," says Herodotus, "how God with his lightning smites always the bigger animals, and will not suffer them to wax insolent, while those of a lesser bulk chafe him not? How likewise his bolts ever fall on the highest houses and the tallest trees? So plainly does he love to bring down everything that exalts itself. Thus ofttimes a mighty host is discomfited by a few men, when God in his jealousy sends panic or storm from heaven, and they perish in a way unworthy of them. For God allows no one to have high thoughts but himself" (vii. 10, § 5). But the heathen seem to have imagined that God envied the proud ones, and therefore cast them down.

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

You
אַ֭תָּה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

save
תוֹשִׁ֑יעַ (ṯō·wō·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

an afflicted
עָנִ֣י (‘ā·nî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

people,
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

but You humble
תַּשְׁפִּֽיל׃ (taš·pîl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8213: To be or become low, to be abased

those with haughty
רָמ֣וֹת (rā·mō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

eyes.
וְעֵינַ֖יִם (wə·‘ê·na·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT Poetry: Psalm 18:27 For you will save the afflicted people (Psalm Ps Psa.)