Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Psalms 18
Title. David. Like all Psalms of David, it finds its fulfilment in the true David. See the Structure of this book (p. 721). Compare Psalms 18:4, Psalms 18:5 with Psalms 17:9. It is placed, as first written, in 2Sa 22; but it is edited and placed here to find its true relation to other Psalms. Why should not David have the right claimed by all other writers? to say nothing of the Holy Spirit"s right to do as He pleases and wills. It was edited for its place here, when it was handed over "to the chief Musician". See the subscription, and App-64.
the servant. Compare Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 52:13.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
song. Hebrew. shirah. See App-65.
in the day. Compare 2Sa 22, and App-18.
delivered, &c. Compare Luke 1:74.
hand = paw.
I will love Thee = Fervently do I love Thee. Hebrew. raham, to yearn over. This verse was added by David when the Psalm was handed over to the chief Musician (subscription, and App-64) for use in public worship.
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
strength. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, for the source of all strength. Hebrew. hazak, strength (for holding fast); not the same word as verses: Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 2:32, Psalms 2:39.
rock = fortress. Hebrew. sela". See notes on Deuteronomy 32:13, and Exodus 17:6. Note the Figures of speech Anthropopatheia and Exergasia. App-6.
fortress = mountain stronghold. Hebrew. mezad.
My GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.
strength = rock (in original situation): hence, refuge. Hebrew. zur. See Deuteronomy 32:13; not same as verses: Psalms 18:17, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 18:39.
trust = flee for refuge. See App-69.
buckler = shield. Hebrew. magen, as in Psalms 18:30 and Psalms 5:12.
the horn, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:69.
worthy to be praised. Figure of speech Antimereia. App-6, Pass. Part, put for Adjective. Hebrew the praised One.
So shall I, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:71.
saved = delivered (in the widest sense). Hebrew. yasha".
hell = the grave. Hebrew Sheol. App-35.
snares. Hebrew. yakash = noose, or snare.
prevented = were beforehand with, or confronted.
shook . . . trembled . . . shaken. Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew vattig"ash, vattir"ash. Eng. = "shaked . . . quaked and shaked", or "rocked and reeled".
hills = mountains.
in. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "from" (1 Samuel 22:14).
HIGHEST. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4.
channels. Hebrew. "aphikim. See note on 2 Samuel 22:16.
world. Hebrew. tebel = the habitable world. Greek. oikoumene.
blast. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16.
breath. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
strong = strong (for might). Hebrew. "azaz. Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 1:39.
strong = strong (for activity). Hebrew. "amaz. Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 1:39.
because, &c. This is the one ground of blessing. See note on Numbers 14:8, and 2 Samuel 15:25, 2 Samuel 15:26.
merciful = gracious.
With. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "And with".
man = strong man. Hebrew. geber.
GOD. Hebrew = the El. App-4.
word = sayings, as in Psalms 12:6 (feminine plural); Psalms 19:14 (masculine plural) (not Psalms 18:4); Psalms 119:11 (see note there), &c.
tried = refined. Compare Psalms 12:6.
trust in = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.
GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4.
rock. Hebrew. zur. See notes on Exodus 17:6; Exodus 32:13.
save = except.
strength = might (for valour). Hebrew. hil. Not the same as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 1:17.
pursued . . . overtaken . . . consumed . . . wounded . . . fallen. Figure of speech Anabasis. App-6. The tenses may be future, and prophetic.
cried . . . save. Figure of speech Paronomasia . App-6. May be represented in Eng. "they cried with fear, but none gave ear. "
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
cast them out: or scatter them. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "crush". Compare 2 Samuel 22:43.
Anointed = Messiah. Looking beyond David, to David's Son and David's Lord.
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