Keraia
Psalm 18

Psalm 18:1

The LORD Is My Rock · Psalm 18:1–50
Read Psalm 18

Translations

Modern
For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength.
Traditional
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: And he said, I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
Literal
For the one directing. Of the servant of YHWH, David, who spoke to YHWH the words of this song on the day that YHWH snatched him from the hand of all his enemies, from the hand of Saul. And he said: I love You, O YHWH, my strength.
Latin
In finem. Puero Domini David, qui locutus est Domino verba cantici hujus, in die qua eripuit eum Dominus de manu omnium inimicorum ejus, et de manu Saul, et dixit: Diligam te, Domine, fortitudo mea.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength.

Notes

Psalms 18:1

  • The servant of the Lord was given the duty to establish God's kingdom on earth (see Psalm 78:70; 132:10; 144:10).

  • The Lord rescued David from all his enemies by helping him defeat them (see 2 Samuel 8:1–14).

Psalms 18:1–50

This psalm describes a royal story of God rescuing his king. A similar version of this psalm appears in 2 Samuel 22:1–51. The psalm encourages those who hear the earlier prayers for help in Psalms 16 and 17.

The psalmist describes the dramatic nature of God’s rescue in three different ways (Psalm 18:7–15, 16–19, 30–36). The psalm also offers hope that a future Son of David will completely defeat evil (Psalm 18:43–50; compare Psalm 2).

Psalms 15:1–19:14

The psalms in this section emphasize integrity and purity (Psalms 17:15; 18:20–26; 19:13–14). They describe people as living in God’s presence (Psalms 16:9–11; 17:15) and remaining steadfast (15:5; 16:8).

Parallels

2 Samuel 22:1–51

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

David Jude, Letter of Music Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Blessing: Spiritual, from God Coney: General Scriptures Concerning David: King of Israel: Probably Writes Faith: Exemplified God: Power of Love of Man for God Praise for God's Goodness to Individuals Protection: David Psalms: Thanksgiving for God's Mercies to Individuals Rocks: God As the Strength of his People Saying I Love You Select Readings: Mankind in Extremity