Translations
Original
Notes
The Lord rules over all of nature (see Psalm 104:2–4; 148:5–6).
The psalmist describes the Lord coming down from heaven to earth. This moment includes powerful signs such as earthquakes, fire, smoke, darkness, and rain. All creation trembles when God appears.
The psalm shows God as the Divine Warrior (a title that describes God fighting for his people, see Psalm 97:2–5) and as the Judge who rules with justice (see 50:1–6).
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).
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
Glossary
Book of Jonah Darkness David Jude, Letter of Music Pavilion Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second
Topics
Darkness the Following Scriptures God: Glory of God: Incomprehensible God: Invisible Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: General Scriptures Concerning Select Readings: Mankind in Extremity Symbols and Similitudes: Darkness, of God's Inscrutability