Psalm 18:41

ESV They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
NIV They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the Lord, but he did not answer.
NASB They cried for help, but there was no one to save, They cried to the Lord, but He did not answer them.
CSB They cry for help, but there is no one to save them — they cry to the Lord, but he does not answer them.
NLT They called for help, but no one came to their rescue. They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.
KJV They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.
NKJV They cried out, but there was none to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.

What does Psalm 18:41 mean?

David's enemies cried out for help, knowing they were on the verge of destruction. The early verses of this psalm depict a similar plea for rescue (Psalm 18:1–6). Unlike the deliverance provided to David, those who were enemies of God found no help.

It's important to note that even these enemies of God are said to have "cried to the LORD" when facing disaster. In desperation, otherwise unspiritual people will sometimes resort to prayer. When those requests are not granted, skeptics will claim it's because there is no God to hear them. The truth is that God doesn't answer because such people are not properly related to Him. John 9:31 says "we know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him."

In a parallel example, the people of Isaiah's day were hypocritical. They led unclean lives while observing religious holidays and bringing offerings to the temple. Despite their efforts, God saw through their hypocrisy. He said, "When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood" (Isaiah 1:15).

By opposing David, the Lord's anointed, David's enemies were opposing God and could not expect a positive answer to their prayers.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: