He grants believers confidence to scale every mountain they face.
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places (v.33). King David, who reigned over Israel from around 1010 BC to 970 BC, composed this psalm to celebrate God’s deliverance and protection. In this verse, David pictures God giving him the surefooted agility of a deer, able to bound across the rocky heights of life without stumbling. Though David faced many dangers—such as fleeing from King Saul—he likens God’s help to the stability of a nimble mountain deer, secure even on the most perilous paths.
The “hinds’ feet” refers to the female deer’s remarkable ability to climb steep, uneven terrain without losing its balance, enabling it to stand confidently on high peaks. Commentary in the user-provided files notes how these animals can traverse rugged mountains with precision, and draws a parallel: God grants His children steadiness and resilience in life’s toughest challenges as they rely on Him. By saying He sets him “upon my high places,” David acknowledges that God not only gives him the ability to stand firm under pressure, but also lifts him to places of victory and confidence—beyond human capability. This surefootedness anticipates the spiritual security believers find in Christ, who strengthens them in all circumstances (Ephesians 6:10).
Like many instances in the Psalms, David’s words foreshadow the trustworthy care God provides for all who turn to Him. Much as the deer’s natural design keeps it safe on lofty clefts, so the Lord ensures that those who seek Him will not slip in trials. Jesus likewise promised that those who place their hope in Him will have a secure footing in this life and the next (John 10:28).
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Psalms 18:33 meaning
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places (v.33). King David, who reigned over Israel from around 1010 BC to 970 BC, composed this psalm to celebrate God’s deliverance and protection. In this verse, David pictures God giving him the surefooted agility of a deer, able to bound across the rocky heights of life without stumbling. Though David faced many dangers—such as fleeing from King Saul—he likens God’s help to the stability of a nimble mountain deer, secure even on the most perilous paths.
The “hinds’ feet” refers to the female deer’s remarkable ability to climb steep, uneven terrain without losing its balance, enabling it to stand confidently on high peaks. Commentary in the user-provided files notes how these animals can traverse rugged mountains with precision, and draws a parallel: God grants His children steadiness and resilience in life’s toughest challenges as they rely on Him. By saying He sets him “upon my high places,” David acknowledges that God not only gives him the ability to stand firm under pressure, but also lifts him to places of victory and confidence—beyond human capability. This surefootedness anticipates the spiritual security believers find in Christ, who strengthens them in all circumstances (Ephesians 6:10).
Like many instances in the Psalms, David’s words foreshadow the trustworthy care God provides for all who turn to Him. Much as the deer’s natural design keeps it safe on lofty clefts, so the Lord ensures that those who seek Him will not slip in trials. Jesus likewise promised that those who place their hope in Him will have a secure footing in this life and the next (John 10:28).