Psalm 18

David calls upon the Lord (vs. 1-3)—This psalm is almost an exact duplicate of II Samuel 22. It appears that, unless II Samuel 22 is well out of chronological order, the song might have been written over the course of a number of years, which is not an impossibility. The heading, in verse 1, which is also found in II Samuel 22:1, reads “Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.” Note: from the hands of all his enemies and from Saul. Again, unless there is a chronological incongruity in II Samuel 22, Saul had been dead for a long time. Also, Psalm 18:50 speaks of God giving great deliverance “to His king”—David. So at least some of this psalm was written while David was monarch.

Regardless, it is a psalm of praise, vindication, and victory. In verses 1-3, David calls upon Jehovah, “who is worthy to be praised” (v. 3). No matter what happens in this life, we owe the Lord obedience and praise. He will deliver us, for He is our strength, rock, fortress, shield, stronghold, refuge, and savior (vs. 1-2). That pretty well sums it up, as far as the Lord being our protector from the wiles of our enemies.

David in distress (vs. 4-6)—Verses 4 and 5 provide a brief statement of the circumstances that led the king to call upon Jehovah. So, “in my distress I called upon the Lord…[and] He heard my voice” (v. 6).

A powerful description of divine intervention (vs. 7-15)—In majestic, dynamic language, David describes the Lord’s deliverance. The earth “shook and trembled,” and the very foundations were rattled (v. 7). Smoke came from His nostrils and kindled coal (v. 8). The heavens were bowed, and the winds, clouds, and darkness were at His beck and call to do His bidding (vs. 9-12). He “thundered from heaven” and His voice was like “hailstones and coals of fire” (v. 13). His arrows scattered the enemy, and “lightnings in abundance” (v. 14). The blast of His nostrils exposed the “channels of the sea” and “the foundations of the world” (v. 15). One is almost overwhelmed with the power and majesty of this description of God’s working in behalf of His servant.

David delivered (vs. 16-19)—The king was troubled, in “many waters,” but “He delivered me from my strong enemy” (v. 17). No adversary is too difficult for the Lord to overcome. Sometimes that adversary is too strong for us (v. 17), but with the Lord’s support (v. 18), we can be saved. Verse 19 sets the stage for the next section of this psalm: “He delivered me because He delighted in me.”

God will reward us according to what we deserve (vs. 20-27)—David asserts his own righteousness here, and this is why the Lord saved Him. “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness” (v. 20; cf. also v. 24). “I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from my iniquity” (v. 23). David put himself in a position, by staying pure, where the Lord could bless him, and Jehovah did not let him down. Verses 25-27 indicate that, in effect, we reap what we sow: mercy if we are merciful, blamelessness if we are blameless, purity if we are pure, perverseness if we are perverse. “You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks” (v. 27).

A catalogue of God’s assistance to David (vs. 28-45)—We aren’t saved by works, of course, and neither was David. In spite of his righteous, blameless life, he knew that without Jehovah’s help, there could be no escape. God “will light my lamp” (v. 28). With Him, David can “run against a troop” and “leap over a wall” (v. 29). Following His word will lead to perfection (v. 29). He armed the king with strength (v. 32), made his feet “like the feet of deer” (v. 33), taught his hands “to make war” (v. 34), gave him the shield of His salvation and held him up by His right hand; His gentleness led to David’s greatness (v. 35). He enlarged David’s path so that his feet would not slip (v. 36). Through Him the king pursued his enemies, overtook them, destroyed them, wounded them; (vs. 37-38); it was the Lord who armed the king and “subdued under me those who rose up against me” (v. 39). The Lord gave David “the necks of my enemies, so that I destroyed those who hated me” (v. 40). They (his enemies) cried out, but in vain; even the Lord “did not answer them” (v. 41). Jehovah delivered the king, and put him at “the head of the nations” (v. 43). Those foreign peoples would obey him, submit to him, and be frightened of him (vs. 44-45). David NEVER forgot to give the Lord glory for all of this, which is an amazing thing, for he was a king, with total power. And there aren’t many absolute dictators in history who did not let their power go to their heads and convince them that their “greatness” was their own doing. This is certainly one of the major reasons David was a such a marvelous, exemplary servant of God. If only world leaders today would imitate him!

A final word of thanks (vs. 46-50)—“The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God who avenges me” (vs. 46-47). That is a fair description of David’s attitude. “He delivers me from my enemies…therefore I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name” (vs. 48-49). David wanted even non-believers to know who was the true King and Lord of Israel. 

Deliverance and mercy come from Jehovah (v. 50). A marvelous psalm of trust in God and praise to Him.