Psalms 18:39. Thou hast girded me with strength unto battle— "Thou hast inspired my forces with resolution and vigour, and thereby hast subdued under me those who rose up against me: i.e. my enemies, who joined in battle to oppress me." read more
39. that rose up against me—literally, "insurgents" (Psalms 3:1; Psalms 44:5). read more
Psalms 18As the title indicates, David wrote this psalm after he had subdued his political enemies and had established the kingdom of Israel firmly under his control. In this poem, David expressed his delight in the Lord and thanked Him for giving him the victories he enjoyed. This royal thanksgiving psalm also appears in 2 Samuel 22. The slight variations may be due to changes that Israel’s leaders made, under divine inspiration, when they adapted this poem for use in Israel’s public worship.... read more
3. God’s blessings 18:30-50The psalmist rejoiced over God’s character and His blessings to him (Psalms 18:30-45), and he vowed to continue to praise Him forever (Psalms 18:46-50). The purpose of the psalm is praise, not boasting. read more
We should probably read Psalms 18:32 with Psalms 18:33 rather than with Psalms 18:31. David gave the Lord credit for enabling him to be a strong and effective warrior. God was responsible for David’s successes in battle. read more
Of all the Pss. this is the one which can be ascribed with greatest confidence to David. It is found, with some variations, in 2 Samuel 22, and the title is largely taken from 2 Samuel 22:1. It consists of a series of triumphant thanksgivings to God, with which the writer connects a highly figurative account of his deliverance from danger (Psalms 18:4-19), an assertion of his own uprightness (Psalms 18:20-24), and a description of the victories he has won by God’s assistance (Psalms... read more
(37-40) Another retrospective glance of the poet over his past wars. Notice slight variations in Samuel. read more
Psalms 18:17-19 These words were sung upon the scaffold by four sons of the Huguenots: 'He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 'They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay 'He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me because he delighted in me.' They were sung by the last martyrs of the desert, Francis Rochette, and three brothers of the name of Grenier, who suffered as late as 1762, under... read more
Psalms 18:1-50THE description of the theophany (Psalms 18:7-19) and that of the psalmist’s God-won victories (Psalms 18:32-46) appear to refer to the same facts, transfigured in the former case by devout imagination and presented in the latter in their actual form. These two portions make the two central masses round which the psalm is built up. They are connected by a transitional section, of which the main theme is the power of character to determine God’s aspect to a man as exemplified in... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:1-50
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