Psalms 18:2 - Exposition

The Lord is my Rock ; or, my Cliff— my Sela' —an expression used commonly of Petra. And my Fortress (comp. Psalms 144:2 ). Not only a natural stronghold, but one made additionally strong by art. And my Deliverer . A living Protector, not a mere inanimate defence. My God, my Strength ; rather, my Rock , as the same word ( tsur ) is translated in Exodus 17:6 ; Exodus 33:21 , Exodus 33:22 ; Deuteronomy 32:4 , Deuteronomy 32:15 , Deuteronomy 32:18 , Deuteronomy 32:31 ; 1 Samuel 2:2 ; 2 Samuel 23:3 ; Isaiah 26:4 . It is the word from which the strong city, Tyro, derived its. name. In whom I will trust (comp. Dent. 32:37). My Buckler (comp. Genesis 15:1 , where God announced himself as Abraham's "Shield;" and see also Deuteronomy 33:29 ; Psalms 3:2 ; Psalms 5:12 ; Psalms 84:11 ; Psalms 119:114 ; Psalms 144:2 ). The Horn also of my salvation (comp. Luke 1:69 ). The horn is the emblem at once of strength and of dignity. A "horn of salvation" is a source of excellency and might, whence "salvation'' or deliverance comes to those who trust in it. And my high Tower (comp. Psalms 9:9 , with the comment ad loc. ) . It is remarked that God, in this passage, receives seven epithets, "the mystic number which in sacred things symbolizes perfection" (Delitzsch).