Psalm 18:16-24

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 18:20-28

Here, I. David reflects with comfort upon his own integrity, and rejoices in the testimony of his conscience that he had had his conversation in godly sincerity and not with fleshly wisdom, 2 Cor. 1:12. His deliverances were an evidence of this, and this was the great comfort of his deliverances. His enemies had misrepresented him, and perhaps, when his troubles continued long, he began to suspect himself; but, when God visibly took his part, he had both the credit and the comfort of his... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:20

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness ,.... Which, if applied to David, cannot be understood of his own personal righteousness, or of works of righteousness done by him, for these merit nothing at the hand of God; no reward, in strict justice, is due to them, or given to them: a man's own righteousness is imperfect, and by the law of God is not accounted a righteousness; and it is unprofitable to God, is no gain to him, and so not rewardable by him; and were it perfect, it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:21

For I have kept the ways of the Lord ,.... Not those which the Lord himself walks in, his ways of providence, or of grace; though these are and should be taken notice of and observed by good men, as the word F25 שמרתי "observaveram", Tigurine version, Vatablus; "observo", Junius & Tremellius; "observavi", Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. used will bear to be rendered; but the ways which he has prescribed and directed men to walk in, the ways of his commandments, in which they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:22

For all his judgments were before me ,.... That is, the precepts of the law of God, which David had a respect unto, loved, took delight and pleasure in, and so had them all in his sight, and made them the rule of his actions; and the law of God is delighted in by regenerate persons, after the inward man; and though it is abolished as a covenant of works, it is a rule of walk and conversation to the saints; and as such they keep it in view, and regard it impartially, not only some of its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:23

I was also upright before him ,.... In heart and conversation, being sincere and faithful; so David was in the sight of God; but this is much more true of Christ, in whom there was no unrighteousness nor guile, neither in his heart, nor in his lips; he was of perfect integrity, and faithful in all things to him that appointed him; and I kept myself from mine iniquity ; which some interpret of original sin, in which David was born, which dwelt in him, and prompted him to sin; but rather... read more

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