Psalms 18:1 «To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, » I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. _To the chief M... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 2. _The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, &c._] _i.e._ He is all in all for my preservation. Ten words, say the Hebrews, he here h... [ Continue Reading ]
I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Ver. 3. _I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised_] Or, is the proper object of praises, because he is good and doth good, Psalms 119:68. David vows to praise him, 1. By loving him entire... [ Continue Reading ]
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. Ver. 4. _The sorrows of death compass me_] Or, the pangs, pains, throes as of a travailing woman, these environed me, or came thick and threefold upon me, _perveniebant usque ad_ אף even to my face (as the Rabbins desc... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me._ Ver. 5. _The sorrows_] Or, throes, or cords, such as wherewith they bind malefactors led forth to execution. _ The snares of death prevented me_] David knew how to make the most of a mercy; he means, I was almost surprised... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _In my distress I called upon the Lord_] This was David's _anchora sacra; _ sacred anchor, prayer, he knew, could never come too late, nor God... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. Ver. 7. _Then the earth shook and trembled, &c._] Upon David's prayer all this befell; like as, Acts 4:31, the house shook wherein they were praying; and the thundering legion procured... [ Continue Reading ]
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. Ver. 8. _There went up a smoke out of his nostrils_] As angry men breathe vehemently, and seem to spit fire by their blustering speeches and menaces, so here ανθρωποπαθως _omnia, quae tamen_ θεο... [ Continue Reading ]
_He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet._ Ver. 9. _He bowed the heavens_] _i.e._ _Velociter venit,_ saith R. David, he came speedily to destroy mine enemies. _ And darkness was under his feet_] He came invisible.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. Ver. 10. _And he rode upon a cherub_] Which word hath affinity with rechub, a chariot. Hereby is noted God's swiftness in coming to succour David. He waits to be gracious, and when it is a fit season he comes leapin... [ Continue Reading ]
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies. Ver. 11. _He made darkness his secret place_] As a king, that, being angry, withdraweth himself from his subjects, and will not be seen of them. _Vel quia decreta Dei veniunt invisibi... [ Continue Reading ]
At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire. Ver. 12. _At the brightness that was before him, &c._] _i.e._ At his bright presence, his thick clouds (wherein he was enveloped) passed, or did cleave, as it were, in sunder; whence came hailstones mi... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire. Ver. 13. _The Lord also thundered in the heavens_] _Quasi pro classico, et auspicio proelii ineundi._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them._ Ver. 14. _Yea, he sent out his arrows, &c._] _Tandem permiscentur omnia grandine flammis et fulminibus tanquam telis et sagittis Dei adversus hostes pugnantis._ After the advance guard, Psalms 18:12... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 15. _Then the channels of waters were seen_] The force of this terrible tempest is further set forth by the effect of it, a dreadful concus... [ Continue Reading ]
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. Ver. 16. _He sent from above, he took me_] He rescued me as by a hand reached me from heaven. _Deus_ εκ μηχανης, or, he sent his angels to secure me. _ He drew me out of many waters_] As he had once done Moses, Exodus 2:10, who there h... [ Continue Reading ]
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. Ver. 17. _He delivered me from my strong enemy_] Saul; this he oft instanceth, rolling it as sugar under his tongue, and turning aside often to look upon it, as Samson did to see his dead lion fetch... [ Continue Reading ]
They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. Ver. 18. _They prevented me, &c._] They took me on the sudden, and unprovided. The children of this world are wiser, &c. _ But the Lord was my stay_] Or, my staff, whereon I so leaned as that if he had failed me I had been all... [ Continue Reading ]
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. Ver. 19. _He brought me forth also, &c._] He freed me out of all straits, and stated me in a most happy condition. _ He delivered, because he delighted in me_] All was of free grace and favour, not of any mer... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. Ver. 20. _The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness_] viz. The righteousness of my cause; and my freedom from such crimes of disloyalty and ambition, wherewith mine enemies ch... [ Continue Reading ]
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. Ver. 21. _For I have kept the ways of the Lord_] For the main, and for the most part, though not without some particular stumblings and startings aside, against my general resolution and the tendency of mine heart. _... [ Continue Reading ]
For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. Ver. 22. _For all his judgments were before me_] Mine obedience (in desire and endeavour at least) was universal, extending to the compass of the whole law; and this is a sure sign of sincerity, Hence in the next w... [ Continue Reading ]
I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. Ver. 23. _I was also upright before him_] This he had because he kept God's commandments, as Psalms 18:22, had respect to them all, Psalms 119:6, both to the _magnalia_ and _minutula legis,_ which he kept as the apple of his eye,... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. Ver. 24. _Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me_] See on Psalms 18:20. Reward and mercy are joined together in the second commandment; and, Psalms 62:12, it is a mercy in G... [ Continue Reading ]
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; Ver. 25. _With the merciful, &c._] _Hypothesin hic ad thesin transfert._ It is as if he should say, I and mine enemies are a pattern of thy truth and justice, that thou wilt do good to those that... [ Continue Reading ]
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. Ver. 26. _With the pure, &c._] _Cum candido candide agere soles._ The pure shall have all that heart can wish. _ And with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward_] Or, thou wilt wrestle, viz. with suc... [ Continue Reading ]
For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. Ver. 27. _For thou wilt save the afflicted people_] Even the same whom before he had called merciful, or godly, upright, pure, here are the afflicted, and seem by God to be neglected; but he will save them assuredly, though he... [ Continue Reading ]
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Ver. 28. _For thou wilt light my candle_] Or, Thou hast lighted my candle, that is, thou hast bettered my condition, which seemed to be put out in obscurity. The wicked man's is, Job 18:6; Job 21:17 Proverbs 13:9 . _ The Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. Ver. 29. _For by thee have I run through a troop_] Though but a little man, yet by God's help he achieved great matters, did great exploits. _Homo tricubitalis,_ saith a Father concerning Paul; _Et coelum ascendit:_ so... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 18:30 [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. Ver. 30. _As for God, his way is perfect_] All his dispensations toward his children, his actions and directions, his providences and promises, are most trusty and true;... [ Continue Reading ]
For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God? Ver. 31. _For who is God save the Lord?_] _Fictitios Deos et vanas spes prosternit,_ saith Vatablus. Here he striketh down to the ground all false gods and all vain hopes. _Contemno minutulos istos Deos mode Iovem mihi propitium habea... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 18:32 [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Ver. 32. _It is God that girdeth me with strength_] It is a metaphor, saith Vatablus, either from a soldier's belt, which buckleth his armour close to him, and maketh him more steady; or else from the reins themselve... [ Continue Reading ]
He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet], and setteth me upon my high places. Ver. 33. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet] Heb. He matcheth my feet, like hinds' feet; that is, not only swift, if I have occasion by flight to provide for myself, or to pursue mine enemies flying before me; but also steady... [ Continue Reading ]
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Ver. 34. _He teacheth mine hands to war_] David ascribeth all his military skill and success to God; so did not other great warriors, Alexander, Scipio, Fabius, &c., but sacrificed to their own nets, and were ready to say,... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 35. _Thou hast also given me, &c._] _i.e._ Thou hast preserved and settled me. _See Trapp on "_ Psa 5:12 _"_ And thy gentleness hath made me great] Or, Thy meeknes... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. Ver. 36. _Thou hast enlarged my steps under me_] Or, Thou hast widened my passage, and made room for me; when the wicked man's strong passages are straitened, Job 18:7, his pace impeded. _ And my feet did not slip_] Heb. mine ankles,... [ Continue Reading ]
I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. Ver. 37. _I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them, &c._] Of David we may say, as one did of Julius Caesar, you may perceive him to have been an excellent soldier by his very language; for he w... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet._ Ver. 38. _I have wounded them that they were not able to rise_] Much less to resist. And herein he was a type of Christ; all whose foes shall be his footstool, Psalms 110:1 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Ver. 39. _Thou hast girded me with strength, &c._] See Psalms 18:32. It is God that weakeneth or strengtheneth either part, Ezekiel 30:24, and rendereth their weapons vain or prosperous,... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. Ver. 40. _Thou hast given me the necks of mine enemies_] _sc._ To chop them off at my pleasure; or to cut the throats.... [ Continue Reading ]
They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not. Ver. 41. _They cried_] Through grief and impatience, _clamore incondito,_ as beasts when in durance fill the air with loud outcries. _ Even unto the Lord_] As nature prompteth men in an extremity to look... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets._ Ver. 42. _Then did I beat them as small as the dust_] When God once withdraws his protection and help from a people it is an easy matter to tread them down and beat them in pieces. Lay hold upo... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 43. _Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people_] viz. In the rebellions under Absalom, and Sheba, the son of Bichri. These, l... [ Continue Reading ]
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. Ver. 44. _As soon as they hear of me_] Heb. At the hearing of the ear; that is, by the preaching of the gospel they shall be brought to yield the obedience of faith. _ The strangers shall submit_] Heb. f... [ Continue Reading ]
The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. Ver. 45. _The strangers shall fade away_] As do the dry leaves of trees; their vigour and confidence shall perish in a moment. _ And be afraid out of their close places_] Whence they shall come creeping to me, their conqueror,... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Ver. 46. _The Lord liveth_] Or, _Vivat Dominus,_ Let the Lord live. It is spoken, saith Calvin, after the manner of men, who use such kinds of acclamations to the kings whom they love and honour. The wicked could... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 18:47 [It is] God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. Ver. 47. _It is God that avengeth me_] Heb. that giveth vengeances for me; whence also he is called the God of vengeances, Psalms 94:1, and the God of recompenses, Jeremiah 51:56 . _ And subdueth the people under me_] It... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 48. _He delivereth me from mine enemies_] This David hath never done with, but goeth over it again and again, as desirous to do the Lord all the right t... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Ver. 49. _Therefore I will give thanks, &c._] See how the psalmist in these three last verses endeth as he began. _ Among the heathen_] This the apostle applieth to Christ and his people, as a prophe... [ Continue Reading ]
Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. Ver. 50. _Great deliverance giveth he to his king_] In Samuel it is, He is the tower of salvation for his king. This tower is Messias, say the Jewish doctors, _Qui est turris salutis.... [ Continue Reading ]