1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
Psalm 18 is a beautiful poetic masterpiece that is attributed to King David. This Psalm is a song of praise and thanksgiving to God for His deliverance and blessing. It is also a celebration of God's faithfulness, His power, and His justice. It serves as a testament to God's character as the Deliverer, Refuge, and Strength of His people.
The first few verses of Psalm 18 reveal David's deep love for God. He declares, "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalm 18:1-2). These verses display a profound sense of trust and reliance on God, presenting Him as a steadfast and unshakeable rock that provides protection and safety. David acknowledges God as his sole source of strength, emphasizing his absolute dependence on God's power for survival and victory.
One of the main themes that Psalm 18 explores is the theme of deliverance. In his distress, David had called upon the Lord, who heard his cry and came to his rescue. The psalmist vividly describes the dramatic intervention of God, using powerful and vivid images of earthquakes, smoke, fire, and dark storm clouds. This divine deliverance is depicted as a cosmic event, highlighting the magnitude of God's power and His willingness to exercise it on behalf of His people. The imagery used here serves to underscore the lengths to which God will go to rescue His people from their enemies.
David also acknowledges that God's deliverance was not because of his righteousness, but because of God's mercy and faithfulness. He writes, "With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright;" (Psalm 18:25). This verse demonstrates that God's actions towards us are a reflection of His character rather than a response to our actions. It underscores the grace and mercy of God, who chooses to act in love and faithfulness, even when we are undeserving.
Another prominent theme in Psalm 18 is God's faithfulness. God is portrayed as a reliable and trustworthy entity who rewards the righteousness of His servants and punishes the wicked. David attributes his victory and success to God's faithfulness, stating, "For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness." (Psalm 18:28). This verse illuminates God's faithfulness in guiding and leading His people, even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty.
The theme of God's faithfulness is further emphasized in David's declaration, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." (Psalm 18:30). This verse affirms the perfection of God's ways and His word, highlighting the security and protection available to those who place their trust in Him. It underscores the reliability and dependability of God, who never fails to fulfill His promises.
Psalm 18 also emphasizes the theme of God's power. David acknowledges that it is God's power that has made him victorious over his enemies and has enabled him to conquer fortified cities. He declares, "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall." (Psalm 18:29). This verse underscores the limitless power of God that empowers His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and challenges.
The power of God is further highlighted in the description of God's voice that shakes the wilderness and causes deer to give birth. The psalmist writes, "The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory." (Psalm 18:33). This verse portrays God's voice as a force of nature that brings about life and transformation. It underscores the creative and life-giving power of God, who speaks and things come into being.
Finally, Psalm 18 touches on the theme of God's justice. David acknowledges that God rewards each person according to their righteousness and faithfulness. He writes, "Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight." (Psalm 18:24). This verse underscores the principle of divine retribution, where God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. It serves as a reminder of God's justice, which ensures that each person receives what they deserve.
In conclusion, Psalm 18 is a powerful testament to God's character as the Deliverer, Refuge, Strength, and Justice of His people. It is a song of praise and thanksgiving that celebrates God's deliverance, His faithfulness, His power, and His justice. It serves as a reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His people and His unchanging character. It encourages us to place our trust in Him, acknowledging that He is our source of strength, protection, and victory. Psalm 18 ultimately points us to the greatness and majesty of God, inspiring awe and reverence for the One who is our Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer.
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