Psalms 18:4
Psalms 18:4 in Multiple Translations
The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
The cords of death were round me, and the seas of evil put me in fear.
Ropes of death encircled me, surging waters of destruction flooded over me;
The sorowes of death compassed me, and the floods of wickednes made me afraide.
Compassed me have cords of death, And streams of the worthless make me afraid.
The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.
All around me were dangerous situations in which I might be killed [PRS]; it was as though there were huge waves [MET] that almost crashed on me and killed me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 18:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 18:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מְ֭הֻלָּל
אֶקְרָ֣א
יְהוָ֑ה
וּ/מִן
אֹ֝יְבַ֗/י
אִוָּשֵֽׁעַ
מְ֭הֻלָּל
hâlal
H1984
to shine
V-Pual-Inf-c
אֶקְרָ֣א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וּ/מִן
min
H4480
from
Conj | Prep
אֹ֝יְבַ֗/י
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal | Suff
אִוָּשֵֽׁעַ
yâshaʻ
H3467
to save
V-Niphal-Imperf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 18:4
מְ֭הֻלָּל
hâlal
H1984
"to shine"
V-Pual-Inf-c
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
אֶקְרָ֣א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וּ/מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
אֹ֝יְבַ֗/י
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
אִוָּשֵֽׁעַ
yâshaʻ
H3467
"to save"
V-Niphal-Imperf-1cs
Means to save or be delivered, used in the Bible to describe being freed from danger or trouble, like in battle or from moral struggles, as seen in the Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to save, be saved, be delivered 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered 1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to save, deliver 1b2) to save from moral troubles 1b3) to give victory to
Usage: Occurs in 198 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. See also: Exodus 2:17; Psalms 55:17; Psalms 3:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 18:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 18:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
- Sermons on Psalms 18:4
Context — The LORD Is My Rock
2The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
4The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.
5The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. 6In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 116:3 | The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. |
| 2 | Matthew 27:24–25 | When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood, ” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” |
| 3 | Mark 14:33–34 | He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 1:9 | Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. |
| 5 | Psalms 22:12–13 | Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 22:5–6 | For the waves of death engulfed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. |
| 7 | Isaiah 53:3–4 | He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. |
| 8 | Psalms 124:4 | then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us, |
| 9 | Matthew 27:39–44 | And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him. |
| 10 | Matthew 26:47 | While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. |
Psalms 18:4 Summary
This verse in Psalms 18:4 means that the speaker, David, felt like he was being surrounded and overwhelmed by things that could kill him or destroy him, like strong ropes or powerful floods. It's like when we feel like our problems are too big for us to handle, and we don't know what to do. But the good news is that God is our rock and our deliverer, as seen in Psalms 18:2, and He can help us in those times. We can call upon Him, just like David did, and trust that He will hear us and rescue us, as promised in Psalm 34:17-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the 'cords of death' to encompass me?
The 'cords of death' refer to the snares and traps of death that can entangle us, as seen in Psalms 18:5, where it says 'the cords of Sheol entangled me'. This is a metaphor for the ways in which sin and its consequences can bind us, as described in Romans 6:23.
How can I experience overwhelm like 'torrents of chaos' in my life?
The 'torrents of chaos' can represent the overwhelming circumstances and pressures of life that can feel like they are sweeping us away, much like the floods described in Psalms 32:6. However, as Psalm 46:1 reminds us, God is our refuge and strength in such times.
Is this verse only talking about physical death, or is there a spiritual component?
While physical death is certainly a part of the context, the spiritual component of death and separation from God is also implied, as seen in Ephesians 2:1-3, where it describes our state before coming to faith in Christ as being 'dead in trespasses and sins'.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in Psalms 18, where David is describing his experience of being rescued by God from his enemies and troubles, as seen in Psalms 18:2-3 and Psalms 18:6. It highlights David's distress and God's deliverance.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'cords of death' that you feel are currently entangling you, and how can you call upon God for help?
- Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by 'torrents of chaos' - how did you respond, and what did you learn about God's presence in that situation?
- How does this verse encourage you to trust in God's deliverance, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges?
- In what ways can you apply the principle of calling upon the LORD in times of distress, as described in the surrounding verses?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:4
The sorrows of death compassed me,.... These words and the following, in this verse and Psalms 18:5, as they respect David, show the snares that were laid for his life, the danger of death he was in,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:4
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows ... the sorrows - rather, 'the cords ... the cords,' as the parallel word, "the snares" (Psalms 18:5), requires.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
The sorrows of death, i.e. dangerous and deadly troubles. Or, the bands or cords of death, which had almost seized me, and was putting its bands upon me. Compare . The floods of ungodly men; their great multitudes, and strength, and violent assaults, breaking in upon me like a flood.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
Psalms 18:4 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 àó even to my face (as the Rabbins descant upon the word), or flew upon me; desperate and deadly dangers assailed me. Medrash. Tillin. Aphaphuni pro gnaphaphuni. The worst of an evil escaped is to be thankfully acknowledged, and highest strains of eloquence therein to be used so that pride be avoided, and the praise of God only aimed at. And the floods of ungodly men] Heb. of Belial, that is, of Belialists, acted and agitated by the devil; these same tumbling upon him like many and mighty waters, Fluctus fluctum trudit. Torrentes Belial terrebant me.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
(4) The sorrows of death.—The Hebrew word may mean either birth pangs (LXX. and Acts 2:24, where see Note, New Testament Commentary), or cords. The figure of the hunter in the next verse, “the snares of death,” determines its meaning there to be cords (see margin). It is best, therefore, to keep the same rendering here: but there can be little doubt that the version in Samuel, breakers, or waves, is the true one, from the parallelism— “Waves of death compassed me, And billows of Belial terrified me.” For Belial, see Deuteronomy 13:13. Here the parallelism fixes its meaning, “ruin.” For the ideas of peril and destruction, connected by the Hebrews with waves and floods, comp. Psalms 18:16, also Psalms 32:6; Psalms 42:7; Psalms 69:1. Doubtless the tradition of the Flood and of the Red Sea helped to strengthen the apprehensions natural in a country where the river annually overflowed its banks. and where a dry ravine might at any moment become a dangerous flood. The hatred of the sea arose from quite another cause—viz., the dread of it as a highway for invasion.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
Verse 4. The sorrows of death compassed me] חבלי מות chebley maveth, the cables or cords of death. He was almost taken in those nets or stratagems by which, if he had been entangled, he would have lost his life. The stratagems to which he refers were those that were intended for his destruction; hence called the cables or cords of death. The floods of ungodly men] Troops of wicked men were rushing upon him like an irresistible torrent; or like the waves of the sea, one impelling another forward in successive ranks; so that, thinking he must be overwhelmed by them, he was for the moment affrighted; but God turned the torrent aside, and he escaped.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:4
4–6. In forcible figures David pictures the extremity of need in which he cried for help, and not in vain. Again and again there had been ‘but a step between him and death.’ (1 Samuel 20:3.) The perils to which he had been exposed are described as waves and torrents which threatened to engulf him or sweep him away: Sheol and Death are represented as hunters laying wait for his life with nets and snares.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:4
The sorrows of death compassed me - Surrounded me. That is, he was in imminent danger of death, or in the midst of such pangs and sorrows as are supposed commonly to attend on death.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 18:4
4, 5. In these verses he gives a rapid retrospect of the collective years of his persecutions by Saul, his wars, and his exposures. He surveys them with a glance without detail.
Sermons on Psalms 18:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(2 Samuel) the Grateful Retrospect by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Psalm 18 and the deliverance of David from his enemies. The speaker highlights the sense of danger that David expresses in the psalm, includi |
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"The Greatness of God's Deliverance" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the greatness of God's deliverance, illustrating how David, surrounded by sorrow and enemies, called upon the Lord and received divine intervention. He explai |
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David Confessing God as His Refuge by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of trusting in God as our refuge and hiding place. Just like David, who often confessed God as his refuge, we are encouraged to turn to God |
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The Power of the Name of Jesus by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon, Basilio Shlink emphasizes the power of the name of Jesus in freeing us from the chains of sin. He encourages listeners to call upon the name of Jesus in prayer, as |
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Singing the Praises of God by Paul Bramsen | Paul Bramsen emphasizes the significance of singing in worship, tracing its roots back to biblical times when God's people praised Him through song. The Bible showcases believers i |
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They Repented Not by Harry Ironside | Harry Ironside emphasizes that while God's creation and goodness should lead humanity to repentance, many remain unresponsive, drifting further into sin despite experiencing His bl |
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A Tour of Hell by Rolfe Barnard | This sermon delves into the concept of memory in hell, where individuals are tormented by memories of their past actions and opportunities for salvation they missed. It emphasizes |