Psalm 18

Psalm 18 belongs to Book One of the Psalms (Psalms 1–41) and is the longest psalm in that book. The preceding Psalm 17 is David's prayer to be kept from his enemies, while Psalm 18 is a song of thanksgiving after that deliverance has come. The superscription introduces the psalm as the song David sang on the day the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. A nearly identical song appears in 2 Samuel 22.

Structure

• Verses 1–3 The psalmist declares his love for God, calling Him his rock, fortress, shield, horn of salvation, and high tower.
• Verses 4–6 Encompassed by the sorrows of death and the sorrows of hell, he cried out, and God heard him from His temple.
• Verses 7–15 The earth shakes, and amid fire, smoke, hail, and lightning, God descends riding upon a cherub.
• Verses 16–19 God drew him out of many waters, rescued him from a strong enemy, and brought him into a large place.
• Verses 20–30 He confesses that God rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands. God shows Himself merciful to the merciful and froward to the froward.
• Verses 31–45 God girded him with strength and trained him for battle, so that he overcame his enemies and was made the head of the nations.
• Verses 46–50 He praises the living God and celebrates the mercy God shows forever to His king and to the descendants of David.

Key Verses

• Psalm 18:1–2 "I will love thee, O LORD, my strength": A confession that addresses God through a series of images of refuge, introducing the theme of the whole psalm.
• Psalm 18:30 "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried": A confession that God's way and His word are trustworthy.
• Psalm 18:49 "Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen": The verse Paul quotes in Romans 15:9 when speaking of the praise of the Gentiles.

People and Places

• David: The king who sang this song, named in the superscription. In verse 50 he is called God's "anointed."
• Saul: The first king of Israel, who pursued David. He is named in the superscription.
• Cherub: The heavenly being upon which God rides and flies in verse 10. See Seraphim and Cherubim.

Points for Reflection

• The relationship between grace and the words of verses 20–24, "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness," is frequently discussed. Many interpreters do not read these verses as a claim to sinless perfection. Rather, they read them as a confession that, in contrast to his enemies, the psalmist had remained loyal to God and kept the covenant.
• The depiction of storm and earthquake in verses 7–15 is understood as poetic language recalling God's appearance at Mount Sinai.
• Verses 37–42 contain strong battle language about crushing enemies. This section is read in the ancient context of a song celebrating the king's wars.
• Because of the reference to the "anointed" in verse 50 and the promise concerning David's descendants, Christian tradition has also read this psalm in connection with Christ, the Messiah.

In the Korean Church

Verses 1–2 are frequently quoted as a confession of faith. Gospel songs setting these verses to music are also sung in worship services and praise gatherings.