Psalms 18

Psalms 18:1

Title. David. Like all Psalms of David, it finds its fulfilment in the true David. See the Structure of this book (p. 721). Compare Psalms 18:4, Psalms 18:5 with Psalms 17:9. It is placed, as first written, in 2Sa 22; but it is edited and placed here to find its true relation to other Psalms. Why should not David have the right claimed by all other writers? to say nothing of the Holy Spirit’s right to do as He pleases and wills. It was edited for its place here, when it was handed over “to the chief Musician”. See the subscription, and App-64.

the servant. Compare Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 52:13.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

song. Hebrew. shirah. See App-65.

in the day. Compare 2Sa 22, and App-18.

delivered, &c. Compare Luke 1:74.

hand = paw.

I will love Thee = Fervently do I love Thee. Hebrew. raham, to yearn over. This verse was added by David when the Psalm was handed over to the chief Musician (subscription, and App-64) for use in public worship.

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

strength. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, for the source of all strength. Hebrew. hazak, strength (for holding fast); not the same word as verses: Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 2:32, Psalms 2:39.

Psalms 18:2

rock = fortress. Hebrew. sela’. See notes on Deuteronomy 32:13, and Exodus 17:6. Note the Figures of speech Anthropopatheia and Exergasia. App-6.

fortress = mountain stronghold. Hebrew. mezad.

My GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

strength = rock (in original situation): hence, refuge. Hebrew. zur. See Deuteronomy 32:13; not same as verses: Psalms 18:17, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 18:39.

trust = flee for refuge. See App-69.

buckler = shield. Hebrew. magen, as in Psalms 18:30 and Psalms 5:12.

the horn, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:69.

Psalms 18:3

worthy to be praised. Figure of speech Antimereia. App-6, Pass. Part, put for Adjective. Hebrew the praised One.

So shall I, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:71.

saved = delivered (in the widest sense). Hebrew. yasha’.

Psalms 18:4

sorrows = meshes, or snares (Hebrew. hebel). Not bodily pains.

ungodly men = Belial.

Psalms 18:5

hell = the grave. Hebrew Sheol. App-35.

snares. Hebrew. yakash = noose, or snare.

prevented = were beforehand with, or confronted.

Psalms 18:6

temple = palace. Put for heaven itself.

cried . . . ears. See note on Psalms 18:41.

Psalms 18:7

shook . . . trembled . . . shaken. Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew vattig’ash, vattir’ash. Eng. = “shaked . . . quaked and shaked”, or “rocked and reeled”.

hills = mountains.

Psalms 18:8

out of = into.

nostrils . . . mouth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

Psalms 18:10

cherub. See App-41.

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Psalms 18:11

darkness . . . dark. Hebrew. hashak. See notes on Job 3:6.

Psalms 18:13

in. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read “from” (1 Samuel 22:14).

HIGHEST. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4.

Psalms 18:15

channels. Hebrew. ’aphikim. See note on 2 Samuel 22:16.

world. Hebrew. tebel = the habitable world. Greek. oikoumene.

blast. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16.

breath. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Psalms 18:16

many waters. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for troubles.

Psalms 18:17

strong = strong (for might). Hebrew. ’azaz. Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 1:39.

strong = strong (for activity). Hebrew. ’amaz. Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 1:39.

Psalms 18:19

because, &c. This is the one ground of blessing. See note on Numbers 14:8, and 2 Samuel 15:25, 2 Samuel 15:26.

Psalms 18:23

before = with.

mine iniquity. Some codices read “the wicked”. Hebrew “avah. App-44.

Psalms 18:25

merciful = gracious.

With. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “And with”.

man = strong man. Hebrew. geber.

Psalms 18:26

the forward = the perverse. Hebrew. ’ikesh.

forward = a wrestler, or contender.

Psalms 18:28

candle = lamp. Used to-day, in the East, more for comfort than light.

Psalms 18:29

run = broken through.

Psalms 18:30

GOD. Hebrew = the El. App-4.

word = sayings, as in Psalms 12:6 (feminine plural); Psalms 19:14 (masculine plural) (not Psalms 18:4); Psalms 119:11 (see note there), &c.

tried = refined. Compare Psalms 12:6.

trust in = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.

Psalms 18:31

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4.

rock. Hebrew. zur. See notes on Exodus 17:6; Exodus 32:13.

save = except.

Psalms 18:32

strength = might (for valour). Hebrew. hil. Not the same as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 1:17.

Psalms 18:33

my. Ginsburg thinks this should be omitted.

Psalms 18:34

broken = bent.

Psalms 18:35

gentleness = condescension.

Psalms 18:37-38

pursued . . . overtaken . . . consumed . . . wounded . . . fallen. Figure of speech Anabasis. App-6. The tenses may be future, and prophetic.

Psalms 18:41

cried . . . save. Figure of speech Paronomasia . App-6. May be represented in Eng. “they cried with fear, but none gave ear. "

Psalms 18:42

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

cast them out: or scatter them. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “crush”. Compare 2 Samuel 22:43.

Psalms 18:43

heathen = nations, or Gentile peoples.

Psalms 18:44

strangers = sons of the foreigner.

submit = come cringing.

Psalms 18:45

be afraid = come trembling.

Psalms 18:48

man. Hebrew ’ish. App-14.

Psalms 18:49

Therefore, &c. Quoted in Romans 15:9.

Psalms 18:50

Anointed = Messiah. Looking beyond David, to David’s Son and David’s Lord.