Bible Commentaries

David spake. At this point in his history (about 1018 B.C.) This song was written and edited by him later as Psa 18, with the full liberty of all other editors of their own work.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

this song. Compare Exodus 15. Deut 32.

rock. Hebrew. sela = a shadow, or shelter. First occurrence.

The God of my rock. Septuagint and Syriac read "My God was my rock" = immovable defence (Deuteronomy 32:4).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

rock. Hebrew zur = a cliff, in situ. See Psalms 18:2; Psalms 31:3, Psalms 31:42, Psalms 31:9; Psalms 71:3.

When, or, For.

ungodly men = Belial.

sorrows of hell = meshes of Sheol. See App-35

The. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "and the".

fly. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

was seen. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and darted".

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Dark gathering of.

the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4.

channels. Hebrew. aphikim, a watercourse, con-strained by rocks or pipes or rocky channels. First occurrence. See Job 6:15; Job 12:21; Job 40:18; Job 41:15. Psalms 18:15; Psalms 18:42.; 2 Samuel 126:4. Song of Solomon 5:12. Isaiah 8:7. Ezekiel 6:3; Ezekiel 31:12; Ezekiel 32:6; Ezekiel 34:13; Ezekiel 35:8; Ezekiel 36:4, Ezekiel 36:6. Joel 1:20, Joel 3:18. See notes on these eighteen passages for the various renderings.

discovered = laid bare.

blast = nesheimah. App-16.

breath. Hebrew ruach. App-9.

from. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, read "and from". Compare Psalms 18:17.

prevented = got before.

judgments. Compare Deuteronomy 4:1, note.

upright = blameless. Hebrew. tamim.

iniquity. Hebrew "avah. App-44.

show Thyself unsavoury = show Thyself ready to contend.

unsavoury = a wrestler. Compare Psalms 18:26.

merciful = gracious.

And. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "And" in text. man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14.

lamp = light.

By. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "And by".

GOD. Hebrew. "El. App-4.

word = statements. Hebrew. "imrah, what is said. See App-73.

is tried = hath been proved.

who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

strength = fortress.

power = strength.

maketh my way perfect: or, showeth to the blameless His way. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "my way", as in Psalms 18:32.

setteth = maketh me to stand firm.

my high places. Contrast the "high places "so fatal to Jonathan and Saul (2 Samuel 1:25).

looked = looked about. But Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "cried out". Compare Psalms 18:41.

strivings = contentions.

heathen = Gentile nations.

Strangers = foreigners.

shall submit themselves, or give a feigned and unwilling obedience.

shall be afraid out of their close places = shall come forth trembling from their hiding-places.

People = Peoples.

violent man: i.e. Saul.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

tower. Figure of speech Prosopopceia.App-6.