God interacts with humanity through a principle of measure for measure, often completely reversing established social structures. He steps in to support those who are relentlessly pursued while bringing down those who are consumed by their own pride [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם].
When God promises salvation to a poor nation, this poverty does not necessarily indicate a lack of material wealth. Rather, it characterizes people who are humble, submissive in spirit, and actively persecuted [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. This humility stands in direct contrast to stubbornness, just as clear salvation is the exact opposite of twisted, crooked behavior. The focus on an entire nation rather than an individual is deliberate, meant to emphasize the sheer scale of the miracle. Rescuing a whole nation is a far more massive and impressive feat than saving just one person [אבן עזרא].
In stark contrast to the humble, God promises to bring down those with haughty eyes. These are deeply arrogant individuals who look down on everyone else with conceit [מצודת דוד, מאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ], particularly those who actively rise up to harm the vulnerable [רד״ק]. The eyes are singled out because they are the very source of pride and sin, constantly pulling the heart astray [רד״ק]. Furthermore, these arrogant eyes suffer from a specific kind of blindness, leaving them completely unable to see in the dark [אבן עזרא].
On a deeper, more personal level, this dynamic reflects King David's intense internal struggle during his conflict with Saul. David faced a powerful temptation to kill Saul, driven by an inner voice that tried to convince him it would be a righteous act. The justification was that taking Saul's life would save Saul's followers from the sin of baseless persecution and would humble the arrogant onlookers who would witness it and learn a moral lesson. However, David conquered this urge and refused to harm Saul. Because he showed such restraint and ignored these internal justifications, God rewarded Him as if he had personally achieved all of that salvation and moral correction himself [אלשיך].