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 sorrows of death compassed me . Here begins the narrative of David's sufferings in the past. "'The sorrows'—or rather, 'the cords'—of death," he says, "encompassed me," or "coiled around me" (Kay). Death is represented as a hunter, who goes out with nets and cords, encompassing his victims and driving them into the toils. David's recollection is probably of the time when he was "hunted upon the mountains" by Saul ( 1 Samuel 26:20 ), and expected continually to be caught and put to... 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
The sorrows of death compassed me - Surrounded me. That is, he was in imminent danger of death, or in the midst of such pangs and sorrows as are supposed commonly to attend on death. He refers probably to some period in his past life - perhaps in the persecutions of Saul - when he was so beset with troubles and difficulties that it seemed to him that he must die. The word rendered “sorrows” - חבל chebel - means, according to Gesenius, “a cord, a rope,” and hence, “a snare, gin, noose;” and 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 18:4-5. The sorrows of death compassed me That is, dangerous and deadly troubles. Or, the bands, or cords, of death, as חבלי , cheblee, may be rendered, quæ hominem quasi fune arctissime constringunt, which binds a man most closely, as with a cord, whence the word is used concerning the pains of women in labour. And the floods of ungodly men Literally, of Belial, as in the margin. Their great multitudes, strength, and violence, broke in upon me like an irresistible flood,... 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
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
sorrows = meshes, or snares (Hebrew. hebel). Not bodily pains. ungodly men = Belial. 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