Psalms 18:42 Meaning and Explanation
“Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The enemies are utterly scattered and cast aside like worthless dust.
The Context of Psalms 18:42
The final image of enemies' defeat: reduced to worthless dust and scattered.
What Does Psalms 18:42 Mean?
Enemies become dust—fine, scattered, insignificant. 'Before the wind'—they blow away, unresisting. The imagery moves from military victory to near-metaphysical obliteration. They are not buried with honor but scattered like debris.
'Cast them out as the dirt in the streets'—rejected, trampled, worthless. The language is contemptuous, showing the reversal from the opening: enemies who 'compassed' the psalmist are now cast out entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 18:42
What does Psalms 18:42 mean?
The enemies are utterly scattered and cast aside like worthless dust.
What is the context of Psalms 18:42?
The final image of enemies' defeat: reduced to worthless dust and scattered.