Psalm 18:12-19

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 18:12

At the brightness that was before him , The lightning that came out of the thick clouds; which may denote, either the coming of Christ to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, which was swift and sudden, clear and manifest; or the spreading of the Gospel in the Gentile world, in which Christ, the brightness of his Father's glory, appeared to the illumination of many; see Matthew 24:27 ; and both may be intended, as the effects following show; his thick clouds passed ; that is, passed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:13

The Lord also thundered in the heavens ,.... By his apostles and ministers, some of which were Boanergeses, sons of thunder, whose ministry was useful to shake the consciences of men, and bring them to a sense of themselves, Mark 3:17 ; and the Highest gave his voice ; the same with thunder; for thunder is often called the voice of the Lord, Job 37:5 ; compare with this Psalm 68:11 ; the Targum interprets it, "he lifted up his word"; the same effects as before follow, hail ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:14

Yea, he sent out his arrows ,.... By which thunderbolts, cracks of thunder, and flashes of lightning, seem to be meant; see Psalm 77:17 ; comparable to arrows shot, and sent out of a bow; and may denote, either the doctrines of the Gospel, which were sharp in the hearts of Christ's enemies, and are either the means of subduing them to him, or of destroying them, being the savour of death unto death; or however, like arrows, give great pain and uneasiness where they stick, and grievously... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:15

Then the channels of water were seen ,.... Or, "of the sea"; as in 2 Samuel 22:16 . There seems to be an allusion to the drying up of the sea when the Israelites passed through it. Aben Ezra interprets this of the discovery of the secrets of enemies, and of their deep schemes and counsels, which they seek to hide, but are made known by him who sees all things in the dark; and so the following clause; and the foundations of the world were discovered ; but it rather seems to intend the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:16

He sent from above ,.... Either his hand, as in Psalm 144:7 ; he exerted and displayed his mighty power in raising Christ from the dead; or he sent help from his sanctuary; as in Psalm 20:2 ; and helped and strengthened him in a day of salvation; or when he wrought out the salvation of his people; or "he sent his word", as in Psalm 107:20 ; his word of command, to take up his life again, as he had given it to lay it down, John 10:18 . The Targum is, he sent his prophets; but it may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:17

He delivered me from my strong enemy ,.... Which, as it may respect David, may be understood of Goliath the Philistine champion, who was a man of war from his youth; or Saul, king of Israel; and, as it may respect David's antitype, may design either the chief priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, who were men of power and influence; or more especially Satan, the strong man armed, with all his principalities and powers; or, likewise death, the last enemy, from whose pains and cords he was loosed... read more

John Gill

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

They prevented me in the day of my calamity ,.... Referring to the times of his distress in the garden and upon the cross; the time of his sufferings and death, which was a dark and cloudy day, as the word F24 ביום אידי "in the day of my cloudy calamity", Ainsworth; "nomen" איד "proprie signifient vaporem vel nubem, ut Gen. vii. 6. hinc per metaphoram transfertur ad obscuras ac terrificas calamitatum nebulas, Prov. i. 26.", Gejerus. used suggests, both in a literal and in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:19

He brought me forth also into a large place ,.... Into heaven, a place of the glorious liberty of Christ, after his captivity to death and the grave, whither he ascended leading captivity captive, and of the children of God; and a spacious place, where there is room enough for Christ and all his people; here he now is, and will remain till his second coming, and from hence we expect him; see John 14:2 . Compare with this Psalm 31:8 ; he delivered me, because he delighted in me ; God... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:12

At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed - The word נגה nogah signifies the lightning. This goes before him: the flash is seen before the thunder is heard, and before the rain descends; and then the thick cloud passes. Its contents are precipitated on the earth, and the cloud is entirely dissipated. Hail-stones and coals of fire - This was the storm that followed the flash and the peal; for it is immediately added: - read more

Group of Brands