1.
I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
Title. David. Like all Psalms of David, it finds its fulfilment in the true David. See the Structure of this book (p. 721). Compare Psalms 18:4 , Psalms 18:5 with Psalms 17:9 . It is placed, as first written, in 2 Samuel 22 ; but it is edited and placed here to find its true relation to other Psalms. Why should not David have the right claimed by all other writers? to say nothing of the Holy Spirit ' s right to do as He pleases and wills. It was edited for its place here, when it was handed over "to the chief Musician". See the subscription, and App-64 .
the servant. Compare Isaiah 42:1 ; Isaiah 49:6 ; Isaiah 52:13 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
song. Hebrew. shirah. See App-65 .
in the day. Compare 2 Samuel 22 , and App-18 .
delivered, &c. Compare Luke 1:74 .
hand = paw.
I will love Thee = Fervently do I love Thee. Hebrew. raham, to yearn over. This verse was added by David when the Psalm was handed over to the chief Musician (subscription, and App-64 ) for use in public worship.
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
strength. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the source of all strength. Hebrew. hazak, strength (for holding fast); not the same word as verses: Psalms 18:2 , Psalms 18:17 , Psalms 18:17 , Psa 2:32 , Psa 2:39 .
2.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
rock = fortress. Hebrew. sela'. See notes on Deuteronomy 32:13 , and Exodus 17:6 . Note the Figures of speech Anthropopatheia and Exergasia. App-6 .
fortress = mountain stronghold. Hebrew. mezad.
My GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
strength = rock (in original situation): hence, refuge. Hebrew. zur. See Deuteronomy 32:13 ; not same as verses: Psalms 18:17 , Psalms 18:32 , Psalms 18:39 .
trust = flee for refuge. See App-69 .
buckler = shield. Hebrew. magen, as in Psalms 18:30 and Psalms 5:12 .
the horn, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:69 .
3.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
worthy to be praised. Figure of speech Antimereia. App-6 , Pass. Part, put for Adjective. Hebrew the praised One.
So shall I, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:71 .
saved = delivered (in the widest sense). Hebrew. yasha'.
4.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
sorrows = meshes, or snares (Hebrew. hebel). Not bodily pains.
ungodly men = Belial.
5.
The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
hell = the grave. Hebrew Sheol. App-35 .
snares. Hebrew. yakash = noose, or snare.
prevented = were beforehand with, or confronted.
6.
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
temple = palace. Put for heaven itself.
cried . . . ears. See note on Psalms 18:41 .
7.
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
shook . . . trembled . . . shaken. Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew vattig'ash, vattir'ash. Eng. = "shaked . . . quaked and shaked", or "rocked and reeled".
hills = mountains.
8.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
out of = into.
nostrils . . . mouth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
9.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
10.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
cherub. See App-41 .
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
11.
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
darkness . . . dark. Hebrew. hashak. See notes on Job 3:6 .
12.
At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
13.
The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
in. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "from" (1 Samuel 22:14 ).
HIGHEST. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4 .
14.
Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
15.
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
channels. Hebrew. 'aphikim . See note on 2 Samuel 22:16 .
world. Hebrew. tebel = the habitable world. Greek. oikoumene.
blast. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16 .
breath. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
16.
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
many waters. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for troubles.
17.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
strong = strong (for might). Hebrew. 'azaz. Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1 , Psalms 18:2 , Psalms 18:32 , Psa 1:39 .
strong = strong (for activity). Hebrew. 'amaz . Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1 , Psalms 18:2 , Psalms 18:32 , Psa 1:39 .
18.
They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
19.
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
because, &c. This is the one ground of blessing. See note on Numbers 14:8 , and 2 Samuel 15:25 , 2 Samuel 15:26 .
20.
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
21.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22.
For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
23.
I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
before = with.
mine iniquity. Some codices read "the wicked". Hebrew " avah . App-44 .
24.
Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25.
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
merciful = gracious.
With. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "And with".
man = strong man. Hebrew. geber.
26.
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
the forward = the perverse. Hebrew. 'ikesh.
forward = a wrestler, or contender.
27.
For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
28.
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
candle = lamp. Used to-day, in the East, more for comfort than light.
29.
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
run = broken through.
30.
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
GOD. Hebrew = the El. App-4 .
word = sayings, as in Psalms 12:6 (feminine plural); Psalms 19:14 (masculine plural) (not Psalms 18:4 ); Psalms 119:11 (see note there), &c.
tried = refined. Compare Psalms 12:6 .
trust in = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .
31.
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
rock. Hebrew. zur. See notes on Exodus 17:6 ; Exodus 32:13 .
save = except.
32.
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
strength = might (for valour). Hebrew. hil . Not the same as verses: Psalms 18:1 , Psalms 18:2 , Psalms 18:17 , Psa 1:17 .
33.
He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
my. Ginsburg thinks this should be omitted.
34.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
broken = bent.
35.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
gentleness = condescension.
36.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
37.
I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38.
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
39.
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40.
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
41.
They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
cried . . . save. Figure of speech Paronomasia . App-6 . May be represented in Eng. "they cried with fear, but none gave ear. "
42.
Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
wind. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .
cast them out: or scatter them. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "crush". Compare 2 Samuel 22:43 .
43.
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
heathen = nations, or Gentile peoples.
44.
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
strangers = sons of the foreigner.
submit = come cringing.
45.
The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
be afraid = come trembling.
46.
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
47.
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
48.
He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
man. Hebrew ' ish . App-14 .
49.
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Therefore, &c. Quoted in Romans 15:9 .
50.
Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
Anointed = Messiah. Looking beyond David, to David's Son and David's Lord.