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18:title–50 This royal psalm was probably used to celebrate victories. The psalmist opens with a hymn of praise to Yahweh for His security and salvation (vv. 1–3). He describes his situation and his cry to Yahweh for help (vv. 4–6), telling of a vision where Yahweh comes with great power to deliver him from his enemies (vv. 7–19). The psalmist ascribes Yahweh’s salvation to His character: Yahweh’s righteousness and blamelessness prompt Him to act (vv. 20–24). Yahweh gives justice and protection to those who take refuge in Him (vv. 25–30). The psalmist again praises Yahweh, this time for His help and protection (vv. 31–36). He describes the defeat of his enemies (vv. 37–42) and his rise to prominence over them (vv. 43–45). He praises Yahweh for delivering and exalting him (vv. 46–49) and ends the psalm by proclaiming Yahweh’s faithfulness to the Davidic royal line (v. 50). |
18:title when Yahweh delivered him This psalm is almost identical to the song of David found in 2 Sam 22:1–51. This does not necessarily mean David composed this psalm, although he could have—it does means, though, that he recited it at that time. Compare note on Ps 3:title.
18:1–3 In the opening hymn of praise, the psalmist proclaims his love for Yahweh, who gives him strength. He lists several terms that emphasize the stability and security found in Yahweh. “Rock” (sela' and tsur), “fortress” (metsudah), and “stronghold” (misgav) describe secure locations and emphasize the safety and protection of Yahweh. “Deliverer” (from palat) and “horn of my salvation” (qeren-yish'i) attest to Yahweh’s acts of salvation. |
18:2 in whom I have taken refuge Happiness and joy are the result of taking refuge in God.
the horn of A symbol of power (1 Kgs 22:11; Zech 1:18–21).
Horn ISBE
my stronghold The Hebrew word used here, misgav (“stronghold”), describes high walls or a rocky fortress; it emphasizes the stable protection God provides for those in need.
18:3 who is worthy to be praised Yahweh is praiseworthy because of His protection and salvation. The psalmist confidently calls on Him, knowing He can act to save him from his enemies.
18:4–6 The psalmist describes his situation: He is hunted by death with its traps and overcome by a flood of destruction (see note on Job 18:8). In this dire situation, he calls on Yahweh and is answered. |
18:5 Sheol The Hebrew word she’ol is used here, which is a reference to the place of the dead (the underworld). See note on 1 Kgs 2:6.
Old Testament Theology of the Afterlife
18:6 from his temple Yahweh hears the psalmist’s cry from His heavenly temple. See Psa 11:4 and note.
18:7–19 This theophany, in which the psalmist describes Yahweh acting to deliver, resembles several passages in Exodus. The smoke and clouds surrounding Yahweh recall the description of His appearance at Mount Sinai in Exod 19:16–19 (see note on Exod 19:9). This passage also reflects Moses’ song after crossing the Red Sea (Exod 15:1–18).
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18:10 he mounted a cherub Cherubim
were placed on top of the ark of the covenant—the space between their wings symbolized where Yahweh sat, upon their wings (Exod 25:18–20; Pss 80:1; 99:1). Cherubim also guarded the tree of life. See Gen 3:24 and note.
Cherubim NBD
Cherubim DDD
18:13 the Most High uttered God’s voice often manifests as thunder (Psa 29:3–4; Job 37:3).
Voice ISBE
Thunder EBD
18:15 the foundations of the world Ancient Near Eastern cosmology depicted the earth as supported by pillars sunk into the sea. See note on Job 38:4.
18:20–24 The psalmist ascribes his deliverance to Yahweh’s righteousness. When he describes himself as righteous, the psalmist has no intention of arrogance. His righteousness allows him to hope in God, the righteous judge, for deliverance (Ps 7:3–6). Psalmists often cite the wickedness of their enemies as justification for God to destroy them (5:9–10; 10:2–15). Similarly, they cite their own righteousness as a reason for God’s protection and deliverance (17:3–7). |
18:20 according to my righteousness See note on 4:1.
he has repaid me The Hebrew word used here, shuv—which may be literally rendered as “to return” or “bring back”—describes in this context how Yahweh returns the psalmist’s righteousness by dealing righteously with him and delivering him.
18:23 I was blameless The Hebrew word used here, tamim, means to be “blameless” or “upright”; it is used elsewhere to describe pure animals that were to be used for sacrifice. See note on Job 1:1.
18:25–27 Yahweh helps His people. He responds to those who are faithful, blameless, pure, or humble. Anyone who is false or arrogant faces His judgment. See note on Ps 18:20–24. |
18:25 you show yourself loyal The Hebrew word used here, chasid, describes those who are faithful or godly. Elsewhere, the Hebrew text describes how Yahweh shows them chesed, unfailing covenantal love (see note on 6:4).
Chesed Word Study
18:27 haughty In the Psalms, enemies are often described as arrogant or boastful (10:2–4; 12:3–4; 17:10).
18:28 you light The psalmist has confidence through Yahweh, who leads him to safety despite the circumstances (Job 29:2–3).
18:29 with my God With his confidence from God, the psalmist feels invigorated. With God, he can face an army or break through a wall of defense.
18:31–36 The psalmist praises Yahweh, the only true God, for strengthening and protecting him. He describes how God equips him for battle, teaching him and giving him strength to wage war (Ps 18:34). He praises God’s saving protection (v. 35) and the security and stability God gives to his feet (vv. 33, 36). Many terms here are repeated from the psalmist’s opening hymn of praise (vv. 1–3). |
18:34 can bend a bow To ready oneself for battle (7:2; 11:2).
of bronze A metal known for strength (Job 6:12; Jer 1:18). A bronze bow would be heavy and difficult to use. Yahweh gives the psalmist great strength so he can wield this weapon.
Bow and Arrow EDB
Bronze DBI
18:35 your right hand Representing His powerful acts of creation (Ps 95:5; 102:25) as well as His salvation (98:1; 109:27; 118:15–16), God’s hand was often seen as a source of protection or blessing.
18:37 I chased my enemies The confidence (v. 29) and strength the psalmist receives from Yahweh (vv. 33–36) enable him to defeat his enemies. He overtakes and completely destroys them.
18:41 They cried out In contrast to the psalmist, whose cries for help are answered (v. 6), the enemies’ cries are ignored. They look to Yahweh for help, but He does not answer them because of their wickedness (see note on vv. 20–24).
18:43 you set me as head (over) nations Yahweh delivers the psalmist and elevates him to a position of authority over the nations. He extends the psalmist’s rule to foreign nations (2:8).
18:46 blessed be my rock In a final hymn, the psalmist praises Yahweh for His salvation, for giving him victory, and for exalting him over the nations.
18:49 among the nations The psalmist praises Yahweh among the nations he subdues (vv. 42–45).
18:50 his anointed Can refer to any king anointed by God. See note on 2:2.
to David and to his descendants A reference to the Davidic covenant, where Yahweh promises to establish the offspring of David as king over His people (2 Sam 7:12–16). There, Yahweh promises to never remove His chesed (the Hebrew word for Yahweh’s faithful covenantal love; see 2 Sam 7:15; note on Psa 18:25). Here, the psalmist reiterates the presence of God’s chesed on His anointed (see note on 2:2).
Chesed Word Study
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About Faithlife Study BibleFaithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text. |
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