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Psalm 18

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul (as he said in verse 1).

Psalm 18 is a royal song of thanksgiving that rehearses God’s deliverance of David from all his enemies. It appears to be a popular version of the song in (2 Sam. chapter 22). The title “servant of the Lord” places David in an elite company, namely, that of Moses, Joshua, and the Messiah, who also bear the title. The psalm includes a declaration of David’s love and trust in the Lord (verses 1-3), a narrative of his deliverance by the Lord (verses 4-19), an explanation of the cause for David’s deliverance (verses 20-24), an exposition of the display of God’s attributes to those who trust in Him (verses 25-30), a further description of David’s victory (verses 31-45), and a concluding word of thanks for God’s deliverance (verses 46-50). The description of the Lord’s intervention given (in verses 7-19), is called a theophany, one of many in the Old Testament, in which God visibly manifests Himself. The theophany characteristically has two parts: the Lord leaves His residence and nature reacts. It is thus a highly poetic and vivid way of describing the fact that the God of Israel intervened in history on David’s behalf. The entire psalm is a celebration of that fact.

Verses 1-50; Psalm 18 is clearly an individual psalm of thanksgiving, also bearing royal characteristics. Its poetry and theme resemble other ancient testimonies to God’s great historical deliverances (e.g., Exodus chapter 15; Judges chapter 5). Between David’s opening (verses 1-3), and closing (verses 46-50), praises to God, his life with the Lord is described in 3 stages.

1. Prelude: His Opening Praises (18:1-3).
2.  The States of His Life (18:4-45).
3. In the pit of Peril (18:4-19);
4. His desperation (18:4-5);
5. His defender (18:6-15);
6. His deliverance (18:16-19).
7.  On a Course of Ethical Integrity (18:20-28).
8. The principles of the Lord’s direction (18:20-26);
9. The privileges of the Lord’s direction (18:27-28).
10.  In the Turbulent Atmosphere of Leadership (18:29-45).
11. Military leadership (18:29-42);
12. Theocratic leadership (18:43-45.

III.     Postscript: His Closing Praises (18:46-50).

This large psalm bears a large title. Although the title seems to refer to only one specific occasion (e.g., “in the day”), it does state that God’s deliverance was “from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul”. Therefore, it is preferable that the language of this superscription be understood to summarize the testimony of David’s whole life in retrospect.

Verses 1-2: (Here and in 2 Sam chapter 22), David employs the same series of strong words to express the security he has in God. A “high tower” is a place located above the reach of violence.

Psalm 18:1 “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.”

“Love”: This is not the normal word for love that often bears covenant meaning (e.g., Deut. 7:8; Psalm 119:97), but it is a rare verb form of a word group that expresses tender intimacy. David’s choice of words intended to express very strong devotion, like Peter’s (in John 21:15-17).

David was prouder of the fact that he was a servant of the LORD, than the fact that he was king of the Hebrews. David is looking back at the problems he had pertaining to Saul, and the wicked we have been reading about in previous lessons. This is a song of thanksgiving for the wonderful way God has brought him through his trials. David knows full well that it was not his strength that saved him, but the strength of God working in him.

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.”

Military metaphors for the Divine Warrior multiply in this verse. Both defensively and offensively, the Lord was all David needed in life’s tough battles.

David had hidden in the caves and among the rocks, and found that God was his protection. These are all things that every Christian could say about the LORD as well. I built my house, not on the sand, but on the solid Rock (Jesus Christ). He is my fortress. He has built a fortress around me to protect me from the devil. He has delivered me from all my sin. I will have no other god before Him. In my weakness, He has made me strong. I am as Abraham, who had faith and it was counted unto him as righteousness. The horn, as we have studied in all of these lessons, means strength. My salvation is bought by the precious shed blood of the Lamb.

Psalm 18:3 “I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”

In prayer, for fresh mercies, and further appearances of Himself. And discoveries of His grace and favor.

“Who is worthy to be praised”: For the perfections of His nature and the works of His hands. His providential goodness, and more especially for his covenant grace and blessings in Christ. The Targum is, “in praise, or with a hymn, I pray before the Lord.” Agreeably to the rule the apostle gives (Phil. 4:6). And this prayer was a prayer of faith, as follows.

“So shall I be saved from mine enemies”: Which was founded upon past experience of God’s goodness to him in distress, when he called upon Him, as the words show in the next verse.

God inhabits the praises of His people. We are to praise God in all things. We, like David, should know from past blessings that God will be with us in all our battles. He is our help.

Psalm 18:4 “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.”

I.e. dangerous and deadly troubles. Or, the bands or cords of death, which had almost seized me, and was putting its bands upon me (compare Psalm 73:4; Jonah 2:2-9).

“The floods of ungodly men”: Their great multitudes, and strength, and violent assaults, breaking in upon me like a flood.

“Made me afraid.” Made me apprehensive of losing my life. To what particular period of his life he here refers it is impossible now to determine.

Psalm 18:5 “The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.”

Or “the cords of the grave”, under the power of which he was detained for a while. The allusion may be to the manner of burying among the Jews, who wound up their dead bodies in linen clothes. So that they were as persons bound hand and foot. And thus were they laid in the grave (see John 11:44). And so was Christ, till He was raised from the dead, when he showed Himself to have the keys of hell and death, and to be no more under their power, or be held by them.

“The snares of death prevented me”: Or “met” or “got before me” the sense is; he was taken in them. This phrase designs the insidious ways and methods which the enemies of Christ took to ensnare him, and take away His life, and in which they succeeded (see Matt. 26:4).

David is telling of his condition, before the Lord came to his rescue. David’s fear was turned into joy. David was in danger of death from his enemies, until the Lord rescued him.

Psalm 18:6 “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.”

The great Jehovah, the everlasting I AM, who is the Most High in all the earth, and who is able to save (Heb. 5:7).

“And cried unto my God”: As Jesus did (Matt. 27:46). So the members of Christ, when in distress, as they often are, through sin and Satan, through the hidings of God’s face, a variety of afflictions, and the persecutions of men. Betake themselves to the Lord, and call upon their God. A time of distress is a time for prayer; and sometimes the end God has in suffering them to be in distress is to bring them to the throne of his grace. And a great privilege it is they have that they have such a throne to come to for grace and mercy to help them in time of need. And such a God to sympathize with them, and help them. And their encouragement to call upon Him, and cry unto Him, is, that he is Jehovah, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. Who knows their wants, is able to help them, and is a God at hand to do it.

“He heard my voice out of his temple”: That is, out of heaven his dwelling place. For the temple at Jerusalem was not built in David’s time. And it may be observed, that the prayer of the psalmist, or whom he represents, was a vocal one, and not merely mental. And hearing it intends a gracious regard unto it, an acceptance of it, and an agreeable answer. For it follows.

“And my cry came before him, even into his ears”: God did not cover himself with a cloud, that his prayer could not pass through. But it was admitted and received. It came up before Him with acceptance; it reached His ears, and even entered into them. And was delightful music to them (see John 11:41).

In this David is setting us a pattern to follow when troubles come upon us. In our deepest need, we should cry out to God. He will hear and answer our prayers. God’s ears are always tuned into the needs of His people.

Verses 7-15: This theophany, a vivid poetic picture of God’s presence, rivals other biblical presentations (compare Exodus 19:16; Deut. 33:2; Judges chapters 4 and 5; Psalm 68:7-8; Micah 1:3-4; Hab. chapter 3; Rev. chapter 19). His presence is largely described by various catastrophic responses by all creation.

Psalm 18:7 “Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.”

As it did quickly after Christ called upon the Lord, and cried to his God upon the cross (Matt. 27:50). And so some time after, when his people were praying together, the place where they were assembled was shaken (Acts 4:31). As a token of God’s presence being with them. And the shaking and trembling of the earth is often used as a symbol of the presence of God, and of the greatness of his majesty. As when he brought the children of Israel through the Red sea, went before them in the wilderness, and descended on Mount Sinai, which mountain then moved and quaked exceedingly (see Psalm 104:32).

“The foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken”: And design the shaking of the earth and heavens, prophesied of in (Hag. 2:6). And which is explained in (Heb. 12:26). Of the removing the ordinances of the ceremonial law, that Gospel ordinances might remain unshaken. For in (2 Sam. 22:8); the words are, “the foundations of heaven moved and shook”. And the shaking and moving of the earth and mountains may denote the abolition and destruction of kingdoms and nations.

“Because he was wroth”: With the people of the Jews, for disbelieving and rejecting the Messiah. For setting themselves, and taking counsel together against him, and putting Him to death. For these things God was angry with them, and wrath came upon them to the uttermost, and their nation, city, and temple were destroyed (Psalm 2:1). And with the Pagan empire and antichristian powers (Rev. 6:16).

Many times in the Bible, God shook the earth. Once was the earthquake when Moses came down the mountain and saw the children of Israel worshipping a golden calf. When Jesus died on the cross, the earth quaked. The earth is God’s and the fullness thereof. He can shake it if He desires to. When God’s anger comes up in His face at the end of the age, the earth will quake as never before. In fact, the earth will quake so that it will be felt around the world. It is best not to anger God.

Psalm 18:8 “There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.”

God sends forth “smoke” in the heat of His wrath and zeal. He will not endure rebellion forever.

Deuteronomy 9:3 “Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God [is] He which goeth over before thee; [as] a consuming fire He shall destroy them, and He shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.”

Hebrews 12:29 “For our God [is] a consuming fire.”

We know that the wrath of God is something we do not want to encounter. If God is a flaming fire, and the Word says He is, it would be only natural for His anger to proceed from His mouth as a fire.

Psalm 18:9 “He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet.”

To execute wrath and vengeance on wicked men; which is always the sense of these phrases when they go together (see Psalm 144:6). The Targum is, “He bowed the heavens, and his glory appeared”. That is, the glory of his power, and of his mighty hand of vengeance. For not His grace and mercy, but his indignation and wrath, showed themselves; for it follows.

“And darkness was under his feet”: The Targum is, “a dark cloud”, expressive of the awfulness of the dispensation to wicked men. Who are not allowed to see the face of God, are debarred His presence, and denied, communion with Him. And to whom everything appears awful and terrible (Psalm 97:2).

God showed Himself to the Israelites in a fire by night, and a cloud by day. He descended and His presence was over the mercy seat. As far as the people were concerned, this cloud was as thick darkness because they could not see God. For that matter, all things are under His feet, not just darkness.

Psalm 18:10 “And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.”

Or, upon the cherubims, that is, upon the angels, who are so called (Gen. 3:24; Hebrews 9:5). Who are also called God’s chariots (Psalm 68:17), upon which he is said to sit and ride. All which is not to be understood grossly, but only to note God’s using of the ministry of angels in raising such storms and tempests as are here described.

“Upon the wings of the wind”: As swiftly as the wind. He came to my rescue with all speed.

This is just David’s explanation of how God can move through the air, as He moves through the earth. Jesus rose into heaven after 40 days of ministry here on the earth after His resurrection from the dead. He did not need an airplane to carry Him, He just went up on a cloud.

Psalm 18:11 “He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies.”

Which, and the dark waters in the next clause, are the same with the thick clouds in the last. In which Jehovah is represented as wrapping Himself, and in which He lies hid as in a secret place. Not so as that He cannot see others, as wicked men imagine (Job 22:13). But as that He cannot be beheld by others. The Targum interprets it, “he caused his Shekinah to dwell in darkness.”

“His pavilion round about Him were dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies”: These were as a tent or tabernacle, in which He dwelt unseen by men (see Job 36:29). All this may design the dark dispensation of the Jews, after their rejection and crucifixion of Christ. When God departed from them, left their house desolate, and them without his presence and protection. When the light of the Gospel was taken away from them, and blindness happened unto them. And they had eyes that they should not see, and were given up to a judicial darkness of mind and hardness of heart. Which were some of the dark, deep, and mysterious methods of divine Providence. With respect to which God may be said to be surrounded with darkness, dark waters, and thick clouds (see Rom. 11:7).

The smoke in the Holy of Holies was so thick that the High Priest could not see the presence of God, even though he was in the same room with Him. Jesus opened the way in to the heavenlies for you and me. Someday, the darkness of clouds surrounding the Father will be removed and we will see Him as He is. That is when the secret of God will be revealed in heaven to us.

Psalm 18:12 “At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.”

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 and appeared to the illumination of many (see Matt. 24:27). And both may be intended, as the effects following show.

“His thick clouds passed”: That is, passed away. The gross darkness, which had for so many years covered the Gentile world, was removed when God sent forth his light and truth. And multitudes, who were darkness itself, were made light in the Lord.

“Hail stones and coals of fire”: The same Gospel that was enlightening to the Gentiles, and the savor of life unto life unto them, was grievous. Like hail stones, and tormenting, scorching, irritating, and provoking, like coals of fire, and the savor of death unto death, to the Jews. When God provoked them, by sending the Gospel among the Gentiles, and calling them. Or these may design the heavy, awful, and consuming judgments of God upon them, which are sometimes signified by hail storms (see Rev. 8:7). In (2 Sam. 22:13), it is only, “through the brightness before Him were coals of fire kindled”.

Psalm 18:13 “The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire.”

By his apostles and ministers, some of which were Boanerges, 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 stones and coals of fire” (see note on Psalm 18:12).

The strangest hail that ever hit the earth, was the hail mingled with fire that God rained on Pharaoh in Egypt. The anger of God was kindled against him and it hailed this strange hail, because he would not let God’s children go. We also know that fire and brimstone from heaven rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah in God’s anger toward them. Even the elements of hail and fire are at the command of God.

Psalm 18:14 “Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.”

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 savor of death unto death. Or however, like arrows, give great pain and uneasiness where they stick. And grievously distress and torment; as does the fire which comes out of the mouth of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:5). The Targum is, “he sent his word as arrows.” Or else the judgments of God are meant, as famine, pestilence, and the sword, which God sent unto, and spent upon the Jewish nation (Deut. 32:23).

“And scattered them”: Among the nations of the world, where they have been dispersed ever since.

“And he shot out lightnings”: Or “many lightnings”, so the Targum. And discomfited them; troubled, terrified, and distressed them.

One of the most frightening times in my life was a night out west, when it was lightening so bad that it looked as if the world was coming to an end. The lightening seemed to come from all directions. Men pale in front of God who controls even the lightning.

Psalm 18:15 “Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.”

Or, “of the sea”; as in (2 Sam. 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 utter destruction and ruin of the Jewish nation. Both in their civil and ecclesiastic state, the foundation of which was rooted up and laid bare. Unless with Jerome we understand this of the ministers of the word, in whom the doctrines of grace were channeled, and who were as fountains of water. And of the foundation of the apostles and prophets made known in the Gospel. But the former sense is best; since it follows.

“At thy rebuke, O Lord; at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils”: For the destruction of the Jews was the effect of divine wrath and vengeance. So ends the account of the wonderful appearance of God in favor of the person the subject of this psalm, and against his enemies. The deliverance wrought for him is next described.

We will see a small illustration of the power of the nostrils of God in the next verse, where the Red Sea was opened and the children of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

Exodus 15:8 “And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as a heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.”

As I said in the beginning, this is just a minor illustration. God could blow with His nostrils and blow the whole world away.

Verses 16-19: His sheer power, exhibited so dramatically (in verses 7-15), is now amazingly attested as coming to rescue the psalmist personally.

God delivered David as a lifeguard rescues a drowning person from the waters that threatens to overwhelm (144:7).

Psalm 18:16 “He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.”

He interposed to save me. All these manifestations of the divine interposition were from above, or from heaven and all came from God.

“He took me” He took hold on me; he rescued me.

“He drew me out of many waters”: Waters are often expressive of calamity and trouble (Psalms 46:3; 69:1; 73:10; 124:4-5). The meaning here is, that God had rescued him out of the many troubles and dangers that encompassed him. As if he had fallen into the sea and was in danger of perishing.

David’s work and our work, is dependent upon Him protecting us. He brings us out of our troubles. In Revelation, we read of the Christians standing around the throne in white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb. They have been brought out of great tribulation upon the earth.

Verses 16-19: His sheer power, exhibited so dramatically (in verses 7-15), is now amazingly attested as coming to rescue the psalmist personally.

God delivered David as a lifeguard rescues a drowning person from the waters that threatens to overwhelm (144:7).

Psalm 18:17 “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.”

The enemy that had more power than I had, and that was likely to overcome me. It is probable that the allusion here in the mind of the psalmist would be particularly to Saul.

“And from them which hated me”: From all who hated and persecuted me, in the time of Saul, and ever onward during my life.

“For they were too strong for me”: I had no power to resist them. And when I was about to sink under their opposition and malice, God interposed and rescued me. David, valiant and bold as he was as a warrior, was not ashamed, in the review of his life. To admit that he owed his preservation not to his own courage and skill in war, but to God. That his enemies were superior to himself in power. And that if God had not interposed he would have been crushed and destroyed. No man dishonors himself by acknowledging that he owes his success in the world to the divine precision.

The He here of course, is God. Jesus Christ defeated Satan on the cross. The war is won. We are still in a few skirmishes here on the earth, but the war is won. Most of the problems we have on this earth involve the short comings of still being in this body of flesh. We are no match for Satan at all, if we try to fight him our self. We must stand against him in the name of Jesus and through the power of the shed blood of Jesus. Speak the Word to him. Tell him, he is defeated. It is written, is a very good way to start on him.

Psalm 18:18 “They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.”

They anticipated me, or went before me (see the note at Psalm 18:5). The idea here is that his enemies came before him, or intercepted his way. They were in his path, ready to destroy him.

“In the day of my calamity”: In the day to which I now look back as the time of my special trial.

“But the Lord was my stay”: My support, or my prop. That is, the Lord upheld me, and kept me from falling.

Not only did God stay the hand of David’s enemy, but He does the same for us.

Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Psalm 18:19 “He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.”

Into heaven, a place of the glorious liberty of Christ, after His captivity to death and the grave. Where 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 delivered David from all his enemies, because he was a man after his own heart, in whom he delighted. Not for any merit and worthiness in him, but of his good will and pleasure. He delivered Christ because He was His elect, in whom His soul delighted. And who was daily His delight, rejoicing in His presence before the world was. And He delivers his church and people, because they are His Hephzibah (my delight is in her), in whom is His delight (see Isa. 62:4). The Father delighted in them, and therefore chose them to salvation. The Son delighted in them, and gave Himself for them, and ransomed them out of the hands of him that is stronger than they. The Holy Spirit delighted in them, and therefore regenerates, renews, and sanctifies them, and seals them up unto the day of redemption.

Heaven is the largest place I know of. It is so large, it will never be to overcrowded to receive you and me. What a wonderful thing to be able to say, (He delighted in me). Are you a sweet sound in the ear of the Lord?

Verses 20-24: No human can claim perfect innocence, but those who love the Lord, like David, seek to live full of integrity and godliness. The pattern of their lives is one of righteousness (Gen. 18:19).

These verses should not be taken out of context, making David look like an arrogant boaster. (As in verses 25-36 and 39-50), both David and the community, although responsible for living with integrity within the covenant relationship, are fully dependent on the resources of God to do so. Therefore, his “boasting” is biblical since it is ultimately in the Lord (Jer. 9:23-24).

Psalm 18:20 “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.”

That is, He saw that I did not deserve the treatment which I received from my enemies, and therefore He interposed to save me (compare Psalm 17:3).

“According to the cleanness of my hands”: So far as my fellow-men are concerned, I have done them no wrong.

“Hath he recompensed me”: By rescuing me from the power of my enemies. It is not inconsistent with proper views of piety, with true humility before God, to feel and to say, that so far as our fellow-men are concerned, we have not deserved ill-treatment at their hands. And, when we are delivered from their power, it is not improper to say and to feel that the interposition in the case has been according to justice and to truth.

Righteousness, as we have said over and over, is being in right standing with God. The only righteousness we have that could stand up to this standard, is our righteousness in Christ. I received my right standing with God, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I traded Him my sin for His righteousness. We must continue to walk in that righteousness we received, until we are called to heaven. I believe (cleanness of my hands), means that my work must be acceptable. You do not have to work to be saved, but you will work for Him to remain in the salvation you received. Our hands will be doing good or evil. To be pleasing unto God, the work must be pure.

Psalm 18:21 “For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.”

I have obeyed His laws. I have not so violated the laws which God has given to regulate my conduct with my fellow-men as to deserve to be treated by them as a guilty man.

“And have not wickedly departed from my God”: “I have not been a sinner from my God;” an apostate; an open violator of his law. The treatment which I have received, though it would be justly rendered to an open violator of law, is not that which I have merited from the hand of man.

So many people, in our day, feel that all they must do is be baptized and they will go to heaven. To depart from God, after He has saved you, would cause God to call you wicked. Baptism is burying that old man of sin and living a new clean life in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 18:22 “For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.”

That is, the precepts of the law of God, which David had a respect unto. He 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 precepts, but all. This in the highest and fullest sense was done by Christ, who was made under the law, in whose heart it was, and who came to fulfil it, and has completely fulfilled it.

“And I did not put away his statutes from me”: (in 2 Sam. 22:23), it is read, “and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them”; the sense is the same. This may have respect to the ceremonial law, and the ordinances of it which David abode by, and very strictly observed, renewed, and put in order. And which Christ, his antitype, never departed from. But David conformed unto throughout the whole of his life. Witness his circumcision, keeping of the Passover, attendance on the synagogue and temple worship.

David is making a statement that we should live by too. He says, God I have not forgotten your law. I keep it on my mind and do it. Look at the following Scripture with me.

Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Read your Bible and know God’s will, then do God’s will.

Psalm 18:23 “I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.”

In heart and conversation, being sincere and faithful. So David was in the sight of God. But this is much truer 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.

“I kept myself from mine iniquity”: I have watched over myself that I might not transgress, lest I should cherish any sin till it became a part of me. There is no reference to indwelling corruption or a besetting sin.

The main thing we are to notice in this is that David kept David from sinning. Temptation comes to all. We must not surrender to temptation. We must stay strong in ourselves. The battle is between the sinful things the flesh wants to do and the spirit which wants to follow God. Let your spirit rule over your flesh.

Psalm 18:24 “Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.”

Having proved and supported this proposition by the above reasons, it is repeated, for confirmation’s sake.

“According to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight”: This phrase, “in his eyesight”, is here added, to show that the righteousness of Christ was clean, pure, and spotless in the sight of God. In the eye of divine justice. Hence those that are clothed with it are holy and unblamable, and unreprovable in His sight (Col. 1:22).

Notice in this whose eyesight it was important to be right in. David probably did not appear to be righteous in people’s eyes. Stop worrying about what others think and start pleasing God.

Verses 25-29: The psalmist has argued that the love of God moves heaven and earth for the sake of His own (18:7-19). Now he offers instruction regarding what God expects of His children. God’s character evokes a desire in the godly to devotedly follow His ways.

Psalm 18:25 “With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright;”

From the particular statement respecting the divine dealings with himself the psalmist now passes to a general statement (suggested by what God had done for him), in regard to the general principles of the divine administration. That general statement is, that God deals with men according to their character. Or, that he will adapt his providential dealings to the conduct of men. They will find him to be such toward them as they have shown themselves to be toward him. The word “merciful” refers to one who is disposed to show kindness or compassion to those who are guilty. Or to those who injure or wrong us.

“Thou wilt show thyself merciful”: Thou wilt manifest toward him the same character which he shows to others. It is in accordance with this that the Savior teaches us to pray, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). And in accordance also with this he said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:14-15).

“With an upright man”: Literally, a perfect man, see (Job 1:1), where the same word is used in the original, and rendered perfect. The idea is that of a man who is consistent, or whose character is complete in all its parts (see note at Job 1:1).

“Thou wilt show thyself upright”: Thou wilt deal with him according to his character. As he is faithful and just, so will he find that he has to do with a God who is faithful and just.

Psalm 18:26 ” With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward.”

Those who are pure in their thoughts, their motives, their conduct.

“Thou wilt show thyself pure”. They will find that they have to deal with a God who is himself pure. Who loves purity, and who will accompany it with appropriate rewards wherever it is found.

“And with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward”: The froward are such as are of perverse dispositions, and of stubborn and obstinate tempers. And whose ways are crooked and distorted; and such were the people of the Jews in the times of Moses, and of Christ (Deut. 32:5). And who seem here to be designed; even the Jews in Christ’s time, who were just the reverse of the above characters. Were cruel and unmerciful, faithless and hypocritical, filthy and impure. Disbelieved the Messiah, rejected and crucified him, were contrary to God, and to all men. And therefore, God walked contrary to them, as he threatened (Lev. 26:27). The same as showing Himself froward to them. For God is not froward and perverse in Himself, nor in His ways, which are all equal, just, and pure. And though there is one and the same word used in our version, yet there are two different words in the Hebrew text. The same word that is used of the froward is not used of God. That which is used of God, as before observed, signifies wrestling, and designs God’s contending with the people of the Jews, in a way of wrath and fury. Which came upon them to the uttermost, and issued in their entire ruin as a people and nation. The words here had their fulfilment in the destruction of Jerusalem.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He taught them (forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me). In modern language, I can expect to receive from God what I dish out to others. If I am merciful, I will receive mercy. If I am upright in all my dealings with others, God will deal uprightly with me. God will deal with us as we deal with others. If we want God to forgive us, we must forgive others when they ask.

Psalm 18:27 “For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.”

As the people of God commonly are; they are afflicted with sin, and the corruption of their own hearts. And with Satan and his temptations, and with the world, its reproaches, and persecutions. But God in his own time saves them out of them, if not here, yet hereafter.

“But wilt bring down high looks”: Or proud men, whom God humbles. These he abhors, resists, sets himself against, scatters and destroys. The Jews were a very proud people, and behaved in an insolent and insulting manner towards Christ and his followers. But the high looks of the chief priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, were brought down to a purpose, when their city, temple, and nation, were destroyed (see Isa. 2:11).

We must humble our self to receive from God. Proud arrogant people feel that they are self-sufficient. They do not feel as if they need a Savior. Jesus said in Mark:

Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

God will not force salvation upon anyone. The person must need and want salvation, and then they can receive salvation.

Psalm 18:28 ” For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.”

Or lamp: in (2 Sam. 22:29), it is, “Thou art my lamp, O Lord”. Which may either design outward prosperity, and the flourishing condition of David’s kingdom. Or internal spiritual light, and an increase of it, by giving fresh supplies of the oil of grace, to cause the lamp to burn more clearly. Or rather the prosperous estate of Christ’s kingdom; and may be the same with the lamp ordained for the Messiah (Psalm 132:17).

“The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness”: Or “cause light to shine in my darkness”. That is, bring me out of darkness into light. Either out of adversity to prosperity, or from walking in darkness to the enjoyment of the light of his countenance. And is true of Christ, not only of the prosperity of His kingdom and interest, but of him personally. Who though, when on the cross, was in darkness of soul, being forsaken by his God. Yet, when raised from the dead, He was received up to heaven, and set down at the right hand of God. And was made full of joy with his countenance (Acts 2:28).

In the study on Revelation, we saw that each church had its light. Not only is Jesus the light for each church, but He is the light for each individual as well. The world that we live in is full of darkness. We may live in a darkened world, but we can have the Light of Jesus with us. The Light that Jesus shines in each Christian is the only real Light in the world today. The beautiful thing about our candle is the fact that the fire of God lights it. In this terrible dark world that we are living in, we must let our candle shine forth brightly, so that those in darkness will see the Light and come to it.

Psalm 18:29 “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.”

The word troop here refers to bands of soldiers, or hosts of enemies. The word rendered run through means properly to run; and then, as here, to run or rush upon in a hostile sense. To rush with violence upon one. The idea here is that he had been enabled to rush with violence upon his armed enemies. That is, to overcome them, and to secure a victory. The allusion is to the wars in which he had been engaged (compare Psalm 115:1).

“And by my God”: By the help derived from God.

“Have I leaped over a wall”: Have I been delivered, as if I had leaped over a wall when I was besieged. Or, I have been able to scale the walls of an enemy, and to secure a victory. The probability is that the latter is the true idea, and that he refers to his successful attacks on the fortified towns of his enemies. The general idea is, that all his victories were to be traced to God.

Christians, how many times have your friends told you that the job you are trying to do for God is impossible? When I first started writing these Bible studies, many of my friends told me that this job was too big for one person to do. They were right, I cannot do this job, it is too big, but PRAISE GOD! Christ within me can do the job. The wall may be high and look like it is impossible to climb, but with God’s help I can climb any mountain He puts before me.

Psalm 18:30 “[As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

His counsel and providence, though it may sometimes be dark and hard to be understood, yet is always wise and just, and every way perfect or unbearable.

“The word of the Lord is tried”: The truth of God’s promises is certain, and approved by innumerable experiences, and mine among the rest.

“He is a buckler to all those that trust in him”: Not in man, nor in themselves. In their own righteousness, or in any creature or creature enjoyment or performance. But in the providence and power of God. In his grace and mercy, in his word, and especially in his Son. In his person, blood, and righteousness; to such He is a buckler or shield. His power is all around them, his favor encompasses them, and His truth, or faithfulness in His word, is their shield and buckler. And so is his Son, who is both a sun and shield to them. And such are his precious blood, his spotless righteousness, and stoning sacrifice. Which, being held up by faith, repel the fiery darts of Satan.

We may not always understand what God is doing at the moment in our lives, but we can be assured it is the right thing. God is perfect. He does not make mistakes. Whatever problem we are facing at the moment; we can trust that our God can handle it. Our job is not to question, but to trust Him. To have faith is one thing, but trust goes beyond faith. Many married people who have been together for many years will tell you that trust of their spouse, regardless of how the circumstances look, is what has held them together. Remember, we got into the meaning of buckler in a previous lesson, and found that it went much further than just a protection. It means protector, but it also means shield, armed and defense.

Psalm 18:31 “For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God?”

“A rock” (compare verses 2, 46). Moses, at the beginning of his great song about the Lord (in Deut. chapter 32), called God “The Rock” (verse 4). The Lord is indeed a massive, unshakable foundation and source of protection.

We find in this statement a truth almost too deep to comment upon.

1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

From the beginning of time to all of eternity, we will still be trying to understand the fullness of who God is. The Spirit is one. The personalities of that One Spirit are three. We know that Jesus was and is, the Rock. He is the Rock that we must build our house upon. He was the Rock in the wilderness that Moses struck to bring forth water. He not only was the Rock, but is the Water that flows from that Rock as well. I have said it before but it has need to be said again. God is everything good and wonderful. He is my all in all. Without Him I can do nothing. With Him I can do all things.

Psalm 18:32 “[It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.”

For battle (as in Psalm 18:39), with strength of body and fortitude of mind. Both which are from the Lord, and were in David. And were acknowledged by him as bestowed on him by the Lord. And which confirms what he had before said of him. Or with spiritual strength, with strength in his soul, against sin, Satan, and the world. And to do the will and work of God. Saints are girded by the Lord with the whole armor of God, and among the rest with the girdle of truth. And are prepared and ready to every good work (see 1 Sam. 2:4). Hannah’s song is referred to (in 2 Sam. 22:33), the words are, “God is my strength and power”. They are true of Christ, the man of God’s right hand, whom He promised to strengthen, and whom He has made strong for himself (Psalm 80:17).

“And maketh my way perfect”: Or safe, or prosperous. God removed every impediment and obstacle out of his way, and made it plain and easy, as Jarchi observes. And succeeded him, and gave him victory over his enemies. This has been verified in Christ, who has conquered sin, Satan, the world, death, and the grave. For this is not to be understood of the way and course of David’s life and conversation, which was not perfect and unspotted. But had many blemishes and imperfections in it, which he often owns, confesses, and bewails.

I would suggest that you read (Ephesians 6:11), to truly understand the help of the Lord. All of the items that the soldier in Ephesians was to wear were things God would have to give the soldier. The Israelites learned firsthand how easy it was to lose a battle when God was not with them. If the Ark of the Covenant went before them, on orders from God, they won the battle. If it were a battle of their own making, they lost. God will make our way perfect if we stay in His way and not our own.

Psalm 18:33 “He maketh my feet like hinds’ [feet], and setteth me upon my high places.”

See (Hab. 3:19), “He maketh my feet like hinds’ [feet]”: The hind is the female deer, remarkable for fleetness or swiftness. The meaning here is, that God had made him alert or active, enabling him to pursue a flying enemy, or to escape from a swift-running foe.

“And setteth me upon my high places”: The towers and fortresses, and strong and fortified places, where he was safe from his enemies. And in a spiritual sense, may design the everlasting love of God, the covenant of grace, its blessings and promises. And Christ himself, with the fullness of grace in him, on which believers may be said to be set, when their faith is directed to them. And they live and dwell upon them (see Hab. 3:19). And the words were fulfilled in Christ, when God highly exalted him at His right hand, and set Him above all principalities and powers, and made Him higher than the heavens.

A deer has feet that are swift and also, they can jump over high obstacles. If we are like a deer, we are not easily stopped. Notice that it is God who puts you on high places.

Psalm 18:34 “He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.”

From whence it appears, that war in some cases, is lawful. And that all the skillfulness and art in training men for war, in the use of armor, in marshalling of armies, in forming sieges, etc. is all from God (see Psalm 144:1). And so is all that spiritual skill, in making use of the whole armor of God against every enemy, sin, Satan, and the world. And even the wisdom and skill, counsel and instruction, which Christ as man and Mediator had, when it was the hour and power of darkness. When he was engaged with principalities and powers, and got the victory over them, were from the Lord (see Psalm 16:7).

“So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms”: That is, the bow of an enemy falling into his hands, which might be literally true of David. It is in the Hebrew text, “a bow of brass”; and so Apollinarius renders it. Which Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret strong iron, that is, steel. And so the Targum (see Job 20:24). Satan is an archer; his temptations are darts, and fiery ones. And his strong bow may be said to be broken by the arms of faith, when his temptations, under the influence of divine grace, are repelled and rendered ineffectual. And especially his bow was broken by Christ. Not only in the wilderness, when he was vanquished by him; but in the garden, and on the cross. When Satan could find nothing in him, and get no other advantage over him, but to bruise his heel. When he himself had his head broke, his works ruined, and he himself destroyed. Some render the words, “mine arms have bent a bow of steel”. That is, such skill and strength were given him that he was able to bend, draw, and shoot a bow or steel. The Targum is, “and hath strengthened mine arm as a bow of brass”, or “steel”; and so the Syriac and Arabic versions. And to the same purpose the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions.

Some people are offended that we are soldiers, in a battle to the death for the Lord. When David went into battle, it was a war that he was fighting with the blessing of God. The Holy Spirit of God teaches the Christian the way to win the war that we are in. Our weapons are not carnal.

2 Corinthians 10:4 “(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

The weapon of the Christian is the two-edged sword, which is the Word of God. Are you ready to do battle for the Lord? There is a spiritual war, and there is a physical war. Christians are called to the spiritual war.

Psalm 18:35 “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”

Thy protection, which hath been to me like a shield to defend me.

“Thy right hand hath holden me up”: Kept me from falling into those snares and mischiefs which mine enemies designed, and I feared I should fall into.

“And thy gentleness hath made me great. Or, meekness, as the Hebrew word gnanvah, is translated (Num. 12:3; Psalm 45:4; Zech. 2:3). That is, thy clemency, whereby thou hast pardoned my sins, which otherwise would have undone me. And hast mitigated thy corrections which I have deserved. Or, thy grace and benignity, which thou hast manifested to me, and exercised in and for me.

Just as Abraham had faith, and it was counted unto him as righteousness, we must have faith to receive salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Faith is believing in things you cannot see.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

The Right Hand of God is Jesus Christ our Lord. We will find that our help is God. He is holding us up to keep us from falling. Even when we do not realize He is helping us, He is holding us up. Gentleness and longsuffering go hand in hand. God is not only gentle, but patient with us. He is waiting even now to come back, so that a few more will be saved.

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