Psalm 18:16

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

Translations

Modern
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.
Traditional
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
Literal
He sent from above, he took hold of me; He drew me out from the many waters.
Latin
Misit de summo, et accepit me; et assumpsit me de aquis multis.

Original

Hebrew
English
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.

Notes

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

2 Samuel 22:1–51

Glossary

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

Topics

Select Readings: Mankind in Extremity