---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 18"
description: "PSALM 18   :-. \"The servant of the LORD,\"
which in the Hebrew precedes \"David,\" is a
significant part of the title (and not a mere epithet of David),
deno"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/18"
---

PSALM 18

. "The servant of the LORD,"
which in the *Hebrew* precedes "David," is a
significant part of the title (and not a mere epithet of David),
denoting the inspired character of the song, as the production of one
entrusted with the execution of God's will. He was not favored by God
because he served Him, but served Him because selected and appointed
by God in His sovereign mercy. After a general expression of praise
and confidence in God for the future, David gives a sublimely
poetical description of God's deliverance, which he characterizes as
an illustration of God's justice to the innocent and His righteous
government. His own prowess and success are celebrated as the results
of divine aid, and, confident of its continuance, he closes in terms
of triumphant praise. is a copy of this Psalm, with a few unimportant
variations recorded there as a part of the history, and repeated here
as part of a collection designed for permanent use.

**1. I will love thee**—with most
tender affection.

**2, 3.** The various terms used
describe God as an object of the most implicit and reliable trust.
**rock**—literally, "a
cleft rock," for concealment.
**strength**—a firm,
immovable rock.
**horn of my salvation**—The
horn, as the means of attack or defense of some of the strongest
animals, is a frequent emblem of power or strength efficiently
exercised (compare [Deuteronomy 33:17](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/17);
[Luke 1:69](../../../kjv/luke/1/69)).
**tower**—literally, "high
place," beyond reach of danger.

**3. to be praised**—for past
favors, and worthy of confidence.

**4. sorrows**—literally, "bands
as of a net" ([Psalms 116:3](../../../kjv/psalms/116/3)).
**floods**—denotes
"multitude."

**5. death**—and *hell*
(compare [Psalms 16:10](../../../kjv/psalms/16/10)) are
personified as man's great enemies (compare [Revelation 20:13](../../../kjv/revelation/20/13);
[Revelation 20:14](../../../kjv/revelation/20/14)).
**prevented**—encountered
me, crossed my path, and endangered my safety. He does not mean he
was in their power.

**6.** He relates his methods to
procure relief when distressed, and his success.
**temple**—(Compare ).

**7, 8.** God's coming described in
figures drawn from His appearance on Sinai (compare ).

**8. smoke out . . . his
nostrils**—bitter in His wrath (compare ).
**by it**—that is, the fire
([Exodus 19:18](../../../kjv/exodus/19/18)).

**9. darkness**—or, a dense cloud
([Exodus 19:16](../../../kjv/exodus/19/16); [Deuteronomy 5:22](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/5/22)).

**10. cherub**—angelic agents
(compare [Genesis 3:24](../../../kjv/genesis/3/24)), the figures
of which were placed over the ark ([Genesis 3:24](../../../kjv/genesis/3/24)), representing God's dwelling; used here to enhance the
majesty of the divine advent. *Angels* and *winds* may
represent all rational and irrational agencies of God's providence
(compare [Psalms 104:3](../../../kjv/psalms/104/3); [Psalms 104:4](../../../kjv/psalms/104/4)).
**did fly**—Rapidity of
motion adds to the grandeur of the scene.

**11. dark waters**—or, clouds
heavy with vapor.

**12.** Out of this obscurity, which
impresses the beholder with awe and dread, He reveals Himself by
sudden light and the means of His terrible wrath ([Joshua 10:11](../../../kjv/joshua/10/11);
[Psalms 78:47](../../../kjv/psalms/78/47)).

**13.** The storm breaks
forth—thunder follows lightning, and hail with repeated lightning,
as often seen, like balls or coals of fire, succeed ().

**14.** The fiery brightness of
lightning, in shape like burning arrows rapidly shot through the air,
well represents the most terrible part of an awful storm. Before the
terrors of such a scene the enemies are confounded and overthrown in
dismay.

**15.** The tempest of the air is
attended by appropriate results on earth. The language, though not
expressive of any special physical changes, represents the utter
subversion of the order of nature. Before such a God none can stand.

**16-19. from above**—As seated on
a throne, directing these terrible scenes, God—
**sent**—His hand (), reached down to His humble worshipper, and delivered him.
**many waters**—calamities
([Job 30:14](../../../kjv/job/30/14); [Psalms 124:4](../../../kjv/psalms/124/4);
[Psalms 124:5](../../../kjv/psalms/124/5)).

**18. prevented**— ().

**19. a large place**—denotes
safety or relief, as contrasted with the straits of distress (). All his deliverance is ascribed to God, and this sublime
poetical representation is given to inspire the pious with confidence
and the wicked with dread.

**20-24.** The statements of
innocence, righteousness, &c., refer, doubtless, to his personal
and official conduct and his purposes, during all the trials to which
he was subjected in Saul's persecutions and Absalom's rebellions, as
well as the various wars in which he had been engaged as the head and
defender of God's Church and people.

**23. upright before him**—In my
relation to God I have been perfect as to all parts of His law. The
perfection does not relate to degree.
**mine iniquity**—perhaps
the thought of his heart to kill Saul (). That David does not allude to all his conduct, in all
relations, is evident from [Psalms 51:1](../../../kjv/psalms/51/1),
&c.

**20-24.** The statements of
innocence, righteousness, &c., refer, doubtless, to his personal
and official conduct and his purposes, during all the trials to which
he was subjected in Saul's persecutions and Absalom's rebellions, as
well as the various wars in which he had been engaged as the head and
defender of God's Church and people.

**25-27.** God renders to men
according to their deeds in a penal, not vindictive, sense ([Leviticus 26:23](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/23);
[Leviticus 26:24](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/24)).
**merciful**—or, "kind"
([Psalms 4:3](../../../kjv/psalms/4/3)).

**26. froward**—contrary to.

**27. the afflicted people**—that
is, the humbly pious.
**high looks**—pride
([Psalms 101:5](../../../kjv/psalms/101/5); [Psalms 131:1](../../../kjv/psalms/131/1)).

**28.** *To give one light* is
to make prosperous ([Job 18:5](../../../kjv/job/18/5);
[Job 18:6](../../../kjv/job/18/6); [Job 21:17](../../../kjv/job/21/17)).
**thou**—is emphatic, as if
to say, I can fully confide in *Thee* for help.

**29.** And this on past experience
in his military life, set forth by these figures.

**30-32.** God's perfection is the
source of his own, which has resulted from his trust on the one hand,
and God's promised help on the other.
**tried**—"as metals
are tried by fire and proved genuine" (). *Shield* ([Psalms 3:3](../../../kjv/psalms/3/3)).
*Girding* was essential to free motion on account of the
looseness of Oriental dresses; hence it is an expressive figure for
describing the gift of strength.

**33-36.** God's help farther
described. He gives swiftness to pursue or elude his enemies (), strength, protection, and a firm footing.

**35. thy gentleness**—as applied
to God—condescension—or that which He gives, in the sense of
*humility* (compare [Proverbs 22:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/22/4)).

**36. enlarged my steps**—made
ample room (compare [Proverbs 4:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/12)).

**37-41.** In actual conflict, with
God's aid, the defeat of his enemies is certain. A present and
continued success is expressed.

**39. that rose up against
me**—literally, "insurgents" ([Psalms 3:1](../../../kjv/psalms/3/1);
[Psalms 44:5](../../../kjv/psalms/44/5)).

**40. given me the necks**—literally,
"backs of the necks"; made them retreat ([Exodus 23:27](../../../kjv/exodus/23/27);
[Joshua 7:8](../../../kjv/joshua/7/8)).

**37-41.** In actual conflict, with
God's aid, the defeat of his enemies is certain. A present and
continued success is expressed.

**42.** This conquest was complete.

**43-45.** Not only does He conquer
civil foes, but foreigners, who are driven from their places of
refuge.

**44. submit,** &c.—(compare
*Margin*)—that is, show a forced subjection.

**43-45.** Not only does He conquer
civil foes, but foreigners, who are driven from their places of
refuge.

**46. The Lord liveth**—contrasts
Him with idols ([1 Corinthians 8:4](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/8/4)).

**47, 48. avengeth me**—His cause
is espoused by God as His own.

**48. liftest me up**—to safety
and honors.

**49, 50.** Paul () quotes from this doxology to show that under the Old
Testament economy, others than the Jews were regarded as subjects of
that spiritual government of which David was head, and in which
character his deliverances and victories were typical of the more
illustrious triumphs of David's greater Son. The language of justifies this view in its distinct allusion to the great
promise (compare [2 Samuel 7:12](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7/12)). In
all David's successes he saw the pledges of a fulfilment of that
promise, and he mourned in all his adversities, not only in view of
his personal suffering, but because he saw in them evidences of
danger to the great interests which were committed to his keeping. It
is in these aspects of his character that we are led properly to
appreciate the importance attached to his sorrows and sufferings, his
joys and successes.

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