Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

Ps 18 This royal drama of divine rescue (also found with minor variations in 2 Sam 22:1-51) encourages readers who are following the laments and requests for rescue in Pss 16 and 17. The psalmist describes the dramatic nature of God’s rescue in three different ways (18:7-15, 16-19, 30-36). The psalm also extends hope that a future Son of David will be totally victorious over evil (18:43-50; cp. Ps 2).

18:title David was a faithful servant of the Lord, charged with the responsibility of establishing God’s kingdom on earth (see 78:70; 132:10; 144:10). • The Lord rescued David from all his enemies when he enabled David to conquer them (see 2 Sam 8:1-14).

Verse 2

18:2 A shield is an image of protection, salvation, and victory (7:10; 18:2, 30, 35; 84:11; 91:4; 115:9, 10, 11; 119:114; 144:2). It evokes a response of trust, waiting, and godly confidence.

Verse 3

18:3 God deserves praise for his greatness and faithfulness (48:1; 96:4; 145:3).

Verse 6

18:6 God dwells in his sanctuary, the heavenly temple (102:19; see 14:2-3). He knows everything, sees everyone, and will vindicate the godly (see 11:3-7).

Verse 7

18:7-15 The psalmist depicts the Lord’s descent from heaven to earth with phenomena such as earthquakes, flames, smoke, darkness, and rain. Creation shudders at God’s marvelous coming as the Divine Warrior (see 97:2-5) and Judge (see 50:1-6).

18:7 The destabilization of the whole earth will be a means of God’s judgment (77:17-18; 96:9; 97:4; 99:1; 104:32; Isa 29:6; Mic 1:3-4; Nah 1:2-6; Hag 2:7, 21).

Verse 8

18:8 his nostrils . . . his mouth: The psalmist likens God to an angry person or a fierce creature (see Job 41:12-22). • The terrifying images of smoke, flames, and glowing coals express God’s wrath against sin.

Verse 9

18:9-11 The Lord’s sovereignty extends over all of nature (see 104:2-4; 148:5-6).

Verse 10

18:10 a mighty angelic being (Hebrew a cherub): See study notes on 1 Chr 28:18; 2 Chr 3:10-13.

Verse 19

18:19 Because God loves and delights in the psalmist (see 18:1), he will save him (37:23; 41:11; 91:14-16).

Verse 20

18:20-24 The psalmist affirms that loyalty is rewarded. He puts his trust in the Lord (see 16:1) and commits himself to living with integrity (see Pss 1, 15, 24; see also 19:12-14).

Verse 21

18:21 kept the ways of the Lord: The psalmist faithfully obeys God’s instructions (see 25:8-10). • not turned . . . to follow evil: The psalmist rejects the way of folly (see Pss 1 and 14) and chooses the way of wisdom (see Pss 1 and 15).

Verse 25

18:25-29 The faithful God remains true to his character. He loves faithfulness, blamelessness, and purity, and he hates the perverse (see 1:6).

Verse 26

18:26 The pure have clean hands (see 18:20-24). • to the crooked you show yourself shrewd: The Lord knows each person’s character, and he justly responds to them in kind.

Verse 27

18:27 proud: The Lord hates pride (101:5; 131:1; see Prov 6:16-17; 21:4; 30:13).

Verse 28

18:28 light a lamp: The Lord renews the psalmist’s life, helping him overcome the darkness of adversity (see Pss 112:4; 119:105).

Verse 29

18:29 scale any wall: God helps his servants fight their battles.

Verse 30

18:30-36 The psalmist experiences God’s rescue and provision of victory.

18:30 perfect: God’s character has integrity (see 18:26). • God promises to protect his people, and he does so. • Seeking God’s protection entails trust and faith. Regardless of his feelings or external circumstances, the psalmist makes a deep commitment to the Lord. He experiences joy (5:11; 64:10) as he awaits the Lord’s rescue (57:1).

Verse 32

18:32-34 The psalmist’s victories come from the Lord. He completely depends on God.

Verse 36

18:36 A wide path represents freedom and safety (see 4:8; 119:35).

Verse 37

18:37-42 With help from the Divine Warrior, the psalmist experienced victory over his enemies.

Verse 40

18:40 Placing a foot on the necks of the enemy represents total victory (see Josh 10:23-26).

Verse 43

18:43-45 With God’s victorious help, the psalmist achieved military and political success, thus fulfilling the history of David’s dynasty (Ps 2). The previous laments find some resolution in this psalm.

Verse 46

18:46-50 The psalmist again reflects on the Lord’s victories. God’s marvelous rescue and the king’s victory are cause for celebration.

Verse 47

18:47 God vindicates his servant and so fulfills his mission (Ps 2; see 47:3; 144:2).

Verse 49

18:49 The psalmist’s vision of praise . . . among the nations motivated Paul in his mission to the Gentiles (Rom 15:9).

Verse 50

18:50 God appointed David, his anointed ruler, to bring order into God’s world (see Ps 2). Both David and his descendants received this responsibility.