Psalm 18:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 18:1-19

The title gives us the occasion of penning this psalm; we had it before (2 Sam. 22:1), only here we are told that the psalm was delivered to the chief musician, or precentor, in the temple-songs. Note, The private compositions of good men, designed by them for their own use, may be serviceable to the public, that others may not only borrow light from their candle, but heat from their fire. Examples sometimes teach better than rules. And David is here called the servant of the Lord, as Moses... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:1

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. These words are not in twenty second chapter of Second Samuel: the psalm there begins with Psalm 18:2 . The psalmist here expresses his love to the Lord, and his continuance in it; that Jehovah the Father was, is, and ever will be the object of Christ's love, is certain; and which has appeared by his readiness in the council and covenant of grace to do his will; by his coming down from heaven to earth for that purpose; by his delight in it, it being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:2

The Lord is my rock ,.... To whom the saints have recourse for shelter and safety, for supply, support, and divine refreshment; and in whom they are secure, and on whom they build their hopes of eternal life and happiness, and so are safe from all enemies, and from all danger. Christ is called a Rock on all these accounts, Psalm 61:2 ; and my fortress ; or garrison; so the saints are kept in and by the power of God as in a garrison, 1 Peter 1:5 ; and my deliverer : out of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:3

I will call upon the Lord ,.... In prayer, for fresh mercies, and further appearances of himself, and discoveries of his grace and favour; who is worthy to be praised ; for the perfections of his nature, the works of his hands, his providential goodness, and more especially for his covenant grace and blessings in Christ. The Targum is, "in praise, or with an hymn, I pray before the Lord;' agreeably to the rule the apostle gives, Philemon 4:6 ; and this prayer was a prayer of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:1

I will love thee - Love always subsists on motive and reason. The verb רחם racham signifies to love with all the tender feelinys of nature. "From my inmost bowels will I love thee, O Lord!" Why should he love Jehovah? Not merely because he was infinitely great and good, possessed of all possible perfections, but because he was good to him: and he here enumerates some of the many blessings he received from him. My strength - read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:2

The Lord is my rock - read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:3

I will call upon the Lord - When he was conscious that the object of his worship was such as he has pointed out in the above nine particulars, it is no wonder that he resolves to call upon him; and no wonder that he expects, in consequence, to be saved from his enemies; for who can destroy him whom such a God undertakes to save? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:1

Verse 1 1.And he said, etc. I will not stop to examine too minutely the syllables, or the few words, in which this psalm differs from the song which is recorded in the twenty-second chapter of the Second Book of Samuel. When, however, we meet with any important difference, we shall advert to it in the proper place; and we find one in the remarkable sentence with which this psalm commences, I will love thee affectionately, O Jehovah, my strength, which is omitted in the song in Samuel. As the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:2

Verse 2 2.Jehovah is my rock, etc. When David thus heaps together many titles by which to honor God, it is no useless or unnecessary accumulation of words. We know how difficult it is for men to keep their minds and hearts stayed in God. They either imagine that it is not enough to have God for them, and, consequently, are always seeking after support and succor elsewhere, or, at the first temptation which assails them, fall from the confidence which they placed in him. David, therefore, by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:3

Verse 3 3.I will call upon the praised Jehovah. Calling upon God, as has been observed elsewhere, frequently comprehends the whole of his service; but as the effect or fruit of prayer is particularly mentioned in what follows, this phrase in the passage before us, I have no doubt, signifies to have recourse to God for protection, and to ask by prayer deliverance from him. David having said in the second verse, that he trusted in God, now subjoins this as an evidence of his trust; for every one... read more

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