Bible Commentaries
Psalms 18

Introduction

Psalms 18:0

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see “Guide to Good Bible Reading”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

Verses 1-3

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:1-3 1”I love You, O Lord, my strength.” 2The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.

Psalms 18:1-3 The psalmist addresses his God with a series of powerful titles and allusions (same poem in 2 Samuel 22:0). In the midst of life's stresses he knew the unchanging character of the God of creation and redemption. Notice the personal element in the “my” pronouns.

1. my strength BDB 305, KB 304, noun only here and probably accidently omitted in 2 Samuel 22:2

2. my rock (twice) two different Hebrew roots

a. BDB 700 I cf. Psalms 31:3; Psalms 42:9; Psalms 71:3

b. BDB 849 cf. Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:15, Deuteronomy 32:30

3. my fortress BDB 845 II, KB 622, cf. Psalms 31:3; Psalms 71:3; Psalms 91:2; Psalms 144:2

4. my deliverer BDB 812, KB 930, Piel participle, cf. Psalms 40:17; Psalms 70:5; Psalms 144:2

5. my God (El) in whom I take refuge BDB 340, KB 337, Qal imperfect, cf. Psalms 2:12; Psalms 5:11; Psalms 7:1; Psalms 11:1; Psalms 16:1; Psalms 25:20; Psalms 31:1; Psalms 37:40; Psalms 57:1; Psalms 61:3; Psalms 64:10; Psalms 71:1; Psalms 118:8-9; Psalms 141:8; Psalms 143:9; Psalms 144:2; Proverbs 30:5

6. my shield BDB 171, KB 545 I, cf. Psalms 3:3; Psalms 7:10; Psalms 18:30, Psalms 18:35; Psalms 28:7; Psalms 33:20; Psalms 59:11; Psalms 84:11; Psalms 115:9-11; Psalms 119:114; Psalms 144:2; Proverbs 2:7; Proverbs 30:5

7. the horn of my salvation

a. “horn” (BDB 901) an idiom of power or strength, cf. Psalms 75:10

b. “horn” may mean “hill,” cf. Isaiah 5:1; if so, it is similar imagery to fortress or stronghold (NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 991)

8. my stronghold BDB 960 I, KB 640, cf. Psalms 9:9; Psalms 46:7, Psalms 46:11; Psalms 48:3; Psalms 59:9, Psalms 59:16, Psalms 59:17; Psalms 62:2, Psalms 62:6; Psalms 94:22; Psalms 144:2

9. the Lord who is worthy to be praised BDB 237, KB 248, Pual participle, cf. Psalms 48:1; Psalms 96:4; Psalms 145:3

The accumulative effect of these words of safety, protection, and security is powerful and emotional. Life in a fallen world is hard, unfair, and unpredictable but then there is our God who is exactly the opposite!

Psalms 18:1 “love” This word (BDB 933, KB 1216, Qal imperfect) is the same Hebrew root (רחם) as “womb,” but before we read too much into this, the same root also means “vulture”! Be careful of etymology as the only source for meaning. Context determines meaning!

The Qal stem of this verb is found only here and refers to man's love for God. The Piel stem is much more common and is used of God's compassion for covenant humanity (cf. Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 13:17; Deuteronomy 30:3; Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 27:11; Isaiah 30:18; Isaiah 49:10, Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 54:8, Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 55:7; Isaiah 60:10).

This verb is not paralleled in 2 Samuel 22:0 and BDB thinks it may have been added, possibly when the psalm became liturgical for the community.

Verses 4-6

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:4-6 4The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. 5The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. 6In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Psalms 18:4-5 The psalmist describes his distress in vivid, parallel, poetic language.

1. the cords (i.e., snares, cf. Proverbs 13:14; Proverbs 14:27) of death encompassed me BDB 67, KB 79, Qal perfect, cf. Psalms 116:3; it is possible that “cords,” following 2 Samuel 22:0, should be understood as “waves,” which forms a good parallel to the next line of poetry. The NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 482, mentions that the DSS (IQH [i.e., Dead Sea Scroll MS] 3:28; 5:39) uses the verb for thanking God for deliverance from

a. “pangs of death”

b. “rivers of Belial”

This also fits the context here.

2. the torrents of Belial (BDB 116, cf. Nahum 1:15; 2 Corinthians 6:15) terrified me BDB 129, KB 147, Piel imperfect; the verb is used often in Job (cf. Job 3:5; Job 9:34; Job 13:11, Job 13:21; Job 15:24; Job 18:11; Job 33:7). In 2 Samuel 22:5 “Belial” is translated “destruction,” which shows it can be non-personal

3. the cords of Sheol (see Special Topic: THE DEAD, WHERE ARE THEY?) surround me BDB 685, KB 738, Qal perfect, cf. Psalms 17:11; Psalms 22:12, Psalms 22:16; Psalms 49:5; Psalms 88:17; Psalms 118:10-12

4. the snares of death confronted me BDB 869, KB 1068, Piel perfect, cf. Psalms 18:18; Job 30:27

As “my” was prominent in Psalms 18:1-3, now “me” as the object of attack is prominent in Psalms 18:4-5. Every human is fearful of death until they have a personal faith encounter with the God of life and love (cf. 1 John 4:7-21)! Satan does not control death but he does magnify the fear of death.

Psalms 18:6 Psalms 18:6 is the psalmist's response to his sense of impending death (i.e., “distress,” BDB 856 II, cf. Job 15:24; Job 38:23; Psalms 66:14; Psalms 119:143).

1. I called upon the Lord BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal imperfect

2. I cried to my God BDB 1002, KB 1443, Piel imperfect

His prayers are answered.

1. He heard my voice out of His temple

2. He heard my cry for help before it came into His ears (cf. Psalms 6:8-9; Psalms 28:2, Psalms 28:6)

Notice the parallelism of lines 1 and 2 then lines 3 and 4. This synonymous parallelism is characteristic of Hebrew poetry (see Introductory Article). The God of protection is also the God who responds to prayer!

Verses 7-15

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:7-15 7Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the mountains were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. 8Smoke went up out of His nostrils, And fire from His mouth devoured; Coals were kindled by it. 9He bowed the heavens also, and came down With thick darkness under His feet. 10He rode upon a cherub and flew; And He sped upon the wings of the wind. 11He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. 12From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire. 13The Lord also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire. 14He sent out His arrows, and scattered them, And lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them. 15Then the channels of water appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare At Your rebuke, O Lord, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Psalms 18:7-15 This strophe describes God's response to the psalmist's prayer. God arouses Himself for action (i.e., [1] holy war imagery or [2] rises from His throne)!

1. in Psalms 18:7 the distress of the faithful follower causes Divine anger (BDB 354, KB 351, Qal perfect, see Special Topic: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN). This burning anger (earthquake imagery, cf. Isaiah 29:6) is characterized in Psalms 18:8 (i.e., thunderstorm imagery, cf. Deuteronomy 33:26; Isaiah 29:6). It is possible this imagery reflects Exodus 19:18-19 (i.e., giving of the Mosaic covenant at Mt. Sinai).

2. YHWH's response is characterized in the imagery of a thunderstorm in Psalms 18:9-15.

a. bowed the heavens (cf. Isaiah 64:1). The REB revocalizes the phrase and has, “He parted the heavens.” This same imagery is reflected in Isaiah 34:4; Revelation 6:12-14.

b. came down with thick darkness

c. darkness of waters

d. thick clouds of the skies

e. brightness before Him

f. hailstones and coals of fire

g. thundered in the heavens

h. lightning flashes

i. channels of water

In many ways this description alludes to the Shekinah cloud of glory during the wilderness wandering period, both hiding and revealing YHWH (cf. Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 19:19-20, Exodus 19:24; Exodus 16:10; Exodus 19:9, Exodus 19:16; Exodus 24:15-18; Exodus 40:34-38).

Psalms 18:7 “the earth shook and quaked” The interpretive question is, “Is this literal or figurative?”

1. literal their imagery of an earthquake as a sign of God's coming presence, Exodus 19:18; Exodus 19:18; Psalms 68:7-8

2. figurative a personification of “the earth”

a. the earth brought forth Genesis 1:12, Genesis 1:24

b. the earth swallowed them Exodus 15:12; Numbers 16:34

c. the earth spewed out Leviticus 18:25, Leviticus 18:28; Leviticus 20:22

d. the earth opened its mouth Numbers 16:32; Numbers 26:10; Deuteronomy 11:6; Psalms 106:17

e. the earth as a witness Deuteronomy 4:26; Deuteronomy 30:19; Deuteronomy 31:28; Deuteronomy 32:1

f. speak to the earth Job 12:8; Job 16:18; Psalms 50:4

g. the earth will rise up against him Job 20:27

h. the earth cries out Job 31:38

i. the earth praises YHWH Psalms 69:34

j. the earth rejoices Psalms 96:11; Psalms 97:1

k. the earth trembled Judges 5:4; 1 Samuel 14:15; Isaiah 13:13

l. the earth mourns Isaiah 24:4; Isaiah 33:9; Hosea 4:3

Psalms 18:8 “fire” See Special Topic: Fire.

Psalms 18:9 “He. . .came down” YHWH lives in heaven. His presence dwells between the cherubim on the ark of the covenant, but from time to time the Bible speaks of His coming to humans in special ways (i.e., theophanies, cf. Exodus 3:0). Exodus 3:7-8 is a specific example of YHWH responding to His people's need and acting on their behalf. In this context the imagery is described as a violent thunderstorm.

Psalms 18:10-11 This describes YHWH in imagery of a thunderstorm. Rain was important for semi-desert dwellers but storms were frightening. In Israel's history after they entered Canaan the Israelites became influenced by the fertility gods, especially Ba'al, the storm god, the giver of rain and fertility. However, the true “storm god” was YHWH (note the imagery of Exodus 19:0).

Psalms 18:10 “cherub” Note parallel imagery in Psalms 104:3. See Special Topic: Fertility Worship in the ANE.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM

Psalms 18:11 “He made darkness His hiding place” In the OT to see YHWH meant death (cf. Genesis 16:13; Genesis 32:30; Exodus 3:6; Exodus 33:20; Judges 6:22-23; Judges 13:22; 1 Kings 19:13; Isaiah 6:5; Acts 7:32). The thick dark cloud was a way of protecting the Israelites (cf. Exodus 19:9; Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 5:23).

Psalms 18:15 “the foundations of the world” This imagery is expressed as

1. the pillars of the earth 1 Samuel 2:8; Job 9:6; Job 38:4-6; Psalms 75:3; Psalms 104:5

2. the roots of the mountains Deuteronomy 32:22; Job 28:9; Jonah 2:6

It is possible that verse Psalms 18:15 is alluding to YHWH's great act of deliverance in

a. prose Exodus 14:21-22, Exodus 14:29

b. poetry Exodus 15:8; Psalms 106:9

Verses 16-19

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:16-19 16He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. 18They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my stay. 19He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.

Psalms 18:16-19 This strophe describes YHWH's deliverance of the psalmist. Also note the “distress” of verse Psalms 18:6 is now clarified as “those who hate me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity” (cf. Psalms 59:16-17)!

1. He sent from on high, He took me, cf. Psalms 144:7

2. He drew me out of many waters, cf. Psalms 32:6

3. He delivered me from my strong enemy

4. He delivered me from those who hate me

5. He brought me forth into a broad place, an idiom for freedom, cf. Psalms 4:1; Psalms 31:8; Psalms 118:5

6. He secured me, because He delighted in me, cf. 2 Samuel 22:20; Psalms 37:23; Psalms 41:11; Psalms 147:11

Psalms 18:16 “He drew me out of many waters” This root, משׁה (BDB 602, KB 642) is found only (1) here [and the parallel in 2 Samuel 22:17] and (2) in the account of Moses' rescue in Exodus 2:10. It became the popular etymology of the name “Moses.”

The “many waters” can be understood in two ways.

1. a contextual metaphor of trouble/problems/attacks (cf. Psalms 32:6; Psalms 46:1-3; Psalms 69:1-2; Psalms 124:1-5; Psalms 144:5-8; Isaiah 43:2

2. an allusion to the Genesis account of YHWH defeating the waters of chaos (cf. Psalms 74:13-14; Psalms 89:9-10; Psalms 104:6-7; Isaiah 51:9-10, see the Jerome Biblical Commentary, p. 578, and my note at Genesis 1:2, “the deep” at www.freebiblecommentary.org in Genesis 1-11)

Verses 20-24

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:20-24 20The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. 21For I have kept the ways of the Lord, And have not wickedly departed from my God. 22For all His ordinances were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me. 23I was also blameless with Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity. 24Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.

Psalms 18:20-24 Notice the inclusio of Psalms 18:20 compared to Psalms 18:24. This strophe should not be understood as the psalmist claiming sinlessness or perfection. Theologically he is asserting his “blamelessness” (see Special Topic: Blameless, Innocent, Guiltless, Without Reproach).

Notice the parallelism of each pair.

1. according to my righteousness

2. according to the cleanness of my hands

3. I have kept the ways of the Lord

4. I have not wickedly departed from my God

5. all His ordinances were before me (for #5 and #6 see Special Topic: Terms for God's Revelation)

6. I did not put away His statutes from me

7. I was blameless with Him

8. I kept myself from my iniquity

SPECIAL TOPIC: BLAMELESS, INNOCENT, GUILTLESS, WITHOUT REPROACH

Psalms 18:20 “He has recompensed me” This verb (BDB 996, KB 1427) is repeated at the close of the strophe (cf. Psalms 18:24). There are consequences for unbelief, but, thank God, there are benefits for a faithful follower! These are spelled out in the next strophe (Psalms 18:25-29).

Verses 25-29

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:25-29 25With the kind You show Yourself kind; With the blameless You show Yourself blameless; 26With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the crooked You show Yourself astute. 27For You save an afflicted people, But haughty eyes You abase. 28For You light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness. 29For by You I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall.

Psalms 18:25-29 These are the wonderful, divine consequences which follow a faithful believer.

1. “With the kind (BDB 339), You show Yourself kind” (BDB 338, KB 336, Hithpael imperfect; this verse and the parallel in 2 Samuel 22:26 are the only places in the OT that the verb form of this special covenant noun, hesed, occurs; see Special Topic: Lovingkindness). Notice that “with” (עם) introduces Psalms 18:25-26, while “for” (יכ) introduces Psalms 18:27-29.

2. “With the blameless (BDB 1071, cf. Psalms 18:23) You show Yourself blameless” (BDB 1070, KB 1752, Hithpael imperfect, see Special Topic: Blameless, Innocent, Guiltless, Without Reproach)

3. “With the pure (BDB 140, KB 162, Niphal participle, cf. Isaiah 52:11) You show Yourself pure” (BDB 140, KB 162, Hithpael imperfect). Notice the antithetical parallelism of Psalms 18:26 and 27.

4. “With the crooked (BDB 786 I) You show Yourself twisted (BDB 836, KB 990, Hithpael imperfect). “Crooked” is the opposite of righteous, which denoted that which was straight, see Special Topic: Righteousness.

5. “For You save (BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil imperfect) an afflicted people.” Poor or afflicted people are contrasted with wicked people. See Special Topic: Salvation (OT).

6. “But haughty eyes (BDB 926, KB 1202, Qal participle, cf. Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 5:15) You abase” (BDB 1050, KB 1631, Hiphil imperfect). Notice the antithetical parallelism of Psalms 18:27 (2 Samuel 22:0 parallel is slightly different).

The strophe affirms the basic biblical truth that one reaps what he/she sows (cf. Job 34:11; Psalms 28:4; Psalms 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 32:19; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:6; Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7-10; 2 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 2:23; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 22:12).

Psalms 18:28-29 The form of Psalms 18:25-27 is altered in Psalms 18:28-29. The psalmist makes several assertions about YHWH's actions.

1. For You light (BDB 21, KB 24, Hiphil imperfect) my lamp (BDB 632, 2 Samuel 22:29 has “You are my Lamp.”

2. YHWH my God illumines (BDB 618, KB 667, Hiphil imperfect, synonymous parallelism for verbs) my darkness (objects are antithetical parallelism, i.e., lamp vs. darkness).

3. For by You I can run (i.e., defeat) upon a troop (BDB 151 I, i.e., military unit). Some English translations take גדוד (BDB 151) in the sense of “bank” and translate a phrase which parallels “leap over a wall” (cf. REB, NIB). The LXX (i.e., A New English Translation of the Septuagint, 2007) has a totally different phrase, “because in you I shall be rescued from a pirate's nest.” The 1970 translation of the LXX has the traditional translation. The UBS Text Project gives the word “troop” an “A” rating (high probability). The parallel in 2 Samuel 22:0 also has it.

The AB thinks “troop,” which is found only here, should be “sinew,” גד, which would also parallel the next line (p. 114).

4. By my God I can leap over a wall. Numbers 3:0 and 4 are not synonymous but are two different ways to show the power of God's empowering.

Verses 30-36

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:30-36 30As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. 31For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God, 32The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless? 33He makes my feet like hinds' feet, And sets me upon my high places. 34He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. 36You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped.

Psalms 18:30-36 This strophe explains why the psalmist gives YHWH the titles of Psalms 18:2. His actions bring the titles!

1. His way is blameless (lit. “complete” or “perfect,” BDB 1071, cf. Psalms 18:23, Psalms 18:30, Psalms 18:32).

2. His word/promise (BDB 57, used 19 times in Psalms 119:0) is tried or tested (BDB 864, KB 1057, Qal passive participles, cf. 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 119:140; Proverbs 30:5). See videos on “The Trustworthiness of God's Word” on www.freebiblecommentary.org, sermons from Lakeside Baptist Church, Dallas, TX.

3. He is a shield (BDB 171, cf. Psalms 18:2)

4. He is a rock (BDB 849, cf. Psalms 18:2)

5. He girds (BDB 25, KB 28, Piel participle, cf. Psalms 18:39) me with strength (BDB 298, synonym of BDB 305 in Psalms 18:2)

6. He makes my way blameless (BDB 1071, cf. Psalms 18:23, Psalms 18:30, Psalms 18:32)

7. He makes my feet secure (BDB 763, KB 840, Hiphil imperfect) like hinds' feet (i.e., sure-footed deer who can walk safely in rugged, rocky places, cf. Habakkuk 3:19)

8. He trains/equips/teaches me for battle, cf. Psalms 144:1

9. He has given me the shield of His salvation, cf. Psalms 18:2

10. His right hand upholds me, cf. Psalms 63:8; Psalms 119:117 (the right hand is an idiom of powerful action, see SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND)

11. His gentleness/humility (KB 855 II, cf. 2 Samuel 22:36; also note Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 22:4) makes me great

12. He enlarges (BDB 931, KB 1210, Hiphil imperfect) my steps (i.e., parallels Psalms 18:19a; Psalms 4:1; Psalms 12:5; Psalms 31:8; Psalms 118:5). NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 317 has a good insight, “What is certain is that whereas spaciousness signifies salvation, narrowness symbolizes trouble and danger.”

13. He enables the psalmist's feet to not slip (BDB 588, KB 609, Qal perfect, i.e., stayed on the path, cf. Psalms 18:20-24; see note at Psalms 1:1 for path/way)

Psalms 18:31 “For who is God, but the Lord” This is an allusion to monotheism. See Special Topic: Monotheism.

Psalms 18:35

NASB, NKJV“gentleness” NRSV“help” JPSOA“care” NASB, JPSOA footnotes“condescension” REB, NAB“stoop down” LXX“instruction”

The Hebrew root is “condescension” (BDB 776, ענה) or “humility” (BDB 776, ענוה). BDB supports the second option (NASB), but UBS Text Project gives the first option a “B” rating (some doubt, cf. NRSV).

Verses 37-42

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:37-42 37I pursued my enemies and overtook them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed. 38I shattered them, so that they were not able to rise; They fell under my feet. 39For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. 40You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, And I destroyed those who hated me. 41They cried for help, but there was none to save, Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. 42Then I beat them fine as the dust before the wind; I emptied them out as the mire of the streets.

Psalms 18:37-42 This strophe is the psalmist's description of how, by YHWH's help/empowerment, he defeated his enemies. Again, it is uncertain who these enemies are, but Psalms 18:41 implies they were fellow Israelites (i.e., Saul's army, Absalom, or other rebels).

1. I pursued my enemies

2. I overtook them

3. I did not turn back (but the enemies will, cf. Psalms 18:40)

4. I shattered them

a. they were unable to rise

b. they fell under my feet

5. You have girded (i.e., prepared for action) me with strength for battle

6. You have subdued (i.e., caused to bow) them

7. You have made them turn their backs

8. I destroyed those who hated me

9. I beat them fine as the dust

10. I emptied them out as the mire of the streets (cf. 2 Samuel 22:43; Micah 7:10)

Notice some describe David's actions and some YHWH's enabling actions.

Verses 43-45

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:43-45 43You have delivered me from the contentions of the people; You have placed me as head of the nations; A people whom I have not known serve me. 44As soon as they hear, they obey me; Foreigners submit to me. 45Foreigners fade away, And come trembling out of their fortresses.

Psalms 18:43-45 This strophe deals with the King of Israel's exalted place in YHWH's plans for the nations. Israel (“the people” of Psalms 18:43a) was meant to inform the nations and draw them to faith in YHWH (see Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan). But notice that Israel was “contentious” (cf. Psalms 35:1).

Notice the different phrases that refer to non-Israelites (i.e., Gentiles).

1. the King of Israel (cf. Psalms 18:50) was made the head of the nations

2. the nations are a people who the King had not known but now they serve (BDB 712, KB 773, Qal imperfect) him

3. as soon as these nations hear the King they

a. obey (BDB 1033, KB 1570, Niphal imperfect)

b. submit (lit. “lying” or “deceive,” but used in the sense of “cringe”; possibly “leanness” or their reduced number and influence. The Hebrew verb has both senses) BDB 471, KB 469, Piel imperfect

c. fade away BDB 615, KB 663, Qal imperfect

d. come trembling BDB 353, KB 350, Qal imperfect; only here in the OT out of their fortresses (possibly “fatness,” BDB 689, or KB 604, “prison,” cf. Micah 7:17)

Notice all the imperfects (nine) which denote ongoing action (i.e., continual defeat).

Verses 46-50

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 18:46-50 46The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation, 47The God who executes vengeance for me, And subdues peoples under me. 48He delivers me from my enemies; Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man. 49Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O Lord, And I will sing praises to Your name. 50He gives great deliverance to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever.

Psalms 18:46-50 This strophe is the psalmist's thanksgiving to YHWH for His character and actions!

Notice the titles and characterizations of YHWH.

1. lives this is the adjective (BDB 311) which comes from the verb “to be” (BDB 217), which is the meaning of YHWH (see Special Topic: Names for Deity). He is the ever-living, only-living One! The phrase “as YHWH lives” is usually an introduction to an oath, but here it introduces a doxology.

2. my rock denotes power and stability (cf. Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:31)

3. the God (אלה) of my salvation

4. His acts on the King's behalf

a. executes vengeance (BDB 668)

b. subdues peoples

c. delivers (cf. Psalms 18:50)

d. lifts him above his enemies

e. rescues him from the violent man

Notice in light of this what the King of Israel will do.

1. give thanks among the nations

2. sing praises to His Name

The King does this because of

1. YHWH's deliverance

2. YHWH's lovingkindness to the King and his descendants forever (cf. 2 Samuel 7:0)

Psalms 18:49 This verse (or 2 Samuel 22:50) is used by Paul in Romans 15:9 to show that YHWH's plan of redemption from the very beginning included the Gentiles (note Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 12:3; Exodus 19:5-6).

Paul also used Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 117:1 and Isaiah 11:10. There has always been an eternal redemptive plan for all humans (see Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan).

Psalms 18:50 “His anointed” See Special Topic: Messiah.

▣ “lovingkindness” See Special Topic: Lovingkindness.

▣ “forever” See Special Topic: Forever.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. List the titles of God in Psalms 18:2.

2. God is described as what in Psalms 18:7-15?

3. How would you entitle Psalms 18:16-19?

4. Does Psalms 18:20 teach a “works righteousness”?

5. Where does the title of “rock” as used of God come from? (Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:31, Psalms 18:46 and Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:31)

6. What does Psalms 18:43-45 imply?