The Lord is my Rock ; or, my Cliff— my Sela' —an expression used commonly of Petra. And my Fortress (comp. Psalms 144:2 ). Not only a natural stronghold, but one made additionally strong by art. And my Deliverer . A living Protector, not a mere inanimate defence. My God, my Strength ; rather, my Rock , as the same word ( tsur ) is translated in Exodus 17:6 ; Exodus 33:21 , Exodus 33:22 ; Deuteronomy 32:4 , Deuteronomy 32:15 , Deuteronomy 32:18 , ... read more
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised . Not so much a simple future, "I will call upon the Lord at some particular time," as a future of continuance, "I call, and will ever call, upon the Lord, worthy to be praised;" and so— i.e; so long as I call—shall I be saved from mine enemies (comp. Psalms 5:10 , Psalms 5:12 ; Psalms 6:8-10 ; Psalms 10:15 , Psalms 10:16 , etc.). read more
The Lord is my rock - The idea in this expression, and in the subsequent parts of the description, is that he owed his safety entirely to God. He had been unto him as a rock, a tower, a buckler, etc. - that is, he had derived from God the protection which a rock, a tower, a citadel, a buckler furnished to those who depended on them, or which they were designed to secure. The word “rock” here has reference to the fact that in times of danger a lofty rock would be sought as a place of safety, or... read more
I will call upon the Lord - The idea here is, that he would constantly call upon the Lord. In all times of trouble and danger he would go to him, and invoke his aid. The experience of the past had been such as to lead him to put confidence in him in all time to come. He had learned to flee to him in danger, and he had never put his trust in him in vain. The idea is, that a proper view of God’s dealings with us in the past should lead us to feel that we may put confidence in him in the... read more
Psalms 18:1-3. I will love thee Hebrew, ארחמךְ , erchamecha, I will love thee most affectionately, and with my whole soul. I can make thee no better return for all thy favours than my love, which I pray thee to accept. By loving the Lord, however, here and elsewhere, we are not only to understand giving him the inward affection of the soul, but also all the proper outward expressions and testimonies of it, in praising, glorifying, and serving him. O Lord, my strength From whom alone I... read more
Psalms 18:0 David’s song of victoryThe outpouring of praise recorded in Psalms 18:0 is applicable to many of David’s experiences. It was probably put into its present form after David reached the height of his power as king. He had conquered all his enemies and now controlled all the country from Egypt to the Euphrates (2 Samuel 8:1-18). The psalm is also recorded in 2 Samuel 22:0.David opens by declaring his love for God (1) and thanking God for hearing his prayers and saving him from death at... read more
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... read more
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'. read more
Psalms 18:2. The Lord is my rock, &c.— These words, by which David expresses his security under the protection of God's providence, will appear to be well chosen, if we consider that under Saul, when he was driven into banishment by him, he was forced to conceal himself in rocks and caverns, and to retreat for his safety to steep hills and precipices, rendered by nature almost inaccessible. See 1 Samuel 19:24; 1 Samuel 24:2. He further declares, that God is his buckler, or shield; or who,... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 18:1-50
The retrospect of a life: a sermon for the close of the year. "In this magnificent hymn the royal poet sketches in a few grand outlines the history of his life. By God's help he had subdued every enemy, and now, in middle life, looking back with devout thankfulness on the past, he sings this great song of praise to the God of his life." Divisions of the psalm: 1 . The introduction, setting forth all that Jehovah is to David ( Psalms 18:1-3 ). 2 . The record of David's sufferings... read more