Psalms 18:1 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּאמַ֡ר אֶרְחָמְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה חִזְקִֽי׃
BSAFor the choirmasternâtsach Of DavidDâvid the servantʻebed of the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the Lord of all] whoʼăsher sangdâbar thiszôʼth songshîyr to the LORDYᵉhôvâh on the dayyôwm the LORDYᵉhôvâh had deliverednâtsal himʼêth from the handkaph of allkôl his enemiesʼôyêb and from the handyâd of SaulShâʼûwl
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּאמַ֡ר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶרְחָמְךָ֖ | I love you | Verb qal imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| יְהוָ֣ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| חִזְקִֽי׃ | strength my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I love You, O LORD, my strength. |
| KJV | I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. |
| ASV | I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength. |
| YLT | To the Overseer. — By a servant of Jehovah, by David, who hath spoken to Jehovah the words of this song in the day Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and he saith: — I love Thee, O Jehovah, my strength. |
| WEB | I love you, Yahweh, my strength. |
| BBE | I will give you my love, O Lord, my strength. |
The translations agree on the rendering of חִזְקִי as my strength.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by two phrases that clarify the subject's love and the object of that love.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbלְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 4 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 18:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Psalm of Davidgenerated
Psalms 18:1 is a declaration of love from David to the LORD, who is recognized as his strength. This psalm reflects David's gratitude and acknowledgment of God's protective and empowering presence in his life, as seen in the subsequent verses where he describes God as his rock and deliverer. The themes of trust and reliance on God are central to this psalm, making it a powerful expression of faith.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 36:1 | An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. |
| 2 | Psalm 116:16 | Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 22:1–51 | And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. |
| 4 | Acts 13:36 | For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay. |
| 5 | Hebrews 3:5 | Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 19 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חִזְקִי, chiz.Kigenerated
The word חִזְקִי (chizki) is a noun meaning 'my strength.' It is derived from the root חזק (H2388), which conveys the idea of strength, power, or firmness. The parsing indicates it is a common masculine singular noun with a suffix, showing possession — 'my strength.'
In this verse, David personalizes his relationship with God by referring to Him as his strength, emphasizing his dependence on the LORD for support and protection.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, where the translation is consistent with the original Hebrew, using my strength for חִזְקִי.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of a main clause, אֶרְחָמְךָ֖, I love You, followed by two noun phrases: יְהוָ֣ה, O LORD, and חִזְקִֽי, my strength. The structure highlights the direct address to God and the personal connection David expresses.
The order of the words emphasizes the subject's love for God, placing the object of affection at the forefront of the statement.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, יְהוָ֣ה is rendered as κυρίου (kurios), meaning 'Lord.' This choice reflects the Greek tradition of emphasizing the divine authority of God.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text, maintaining the significance of God as the source of strength and protection.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 18:1 expresses David's love for the LORD, whom he identifies as his strength. This verse sets the tone for the psalm, highlighting themes of trust and reliance on God's power and protection.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase indicates that David sees God as the source of his power and support, especially in times of trouble.
This opening line introduces the themes of praise and thanksgiving that continue throughout the psalm, where David recounts God's deliverance.
Yahweh is the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel and His role as protector and savior.
David's declaration encourages readers to cultivate a personal relationship with God, recognizing Him as their strength and source of help.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's strength in my life?
- How can I express my love for God in my daily life?
- What does it mean to rely on God as my strength?
- How can I encourage others to trust in God's power and support?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers comment on this verse, often reflecting on themes of victory, love, and reliance on God, as seen in their writings.
David has consecrated this hymn of triumph on the occasion of his victory over his enemies and opponents to the Author of all victories.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
Christ, then, and the Church, that is, whole Christ, the Head and the Body, says here, "I will love You, O Lord, My strength" [Psalms 18:1].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
Take care not to let trust in your own strength steal on you, for you are human, and “cursed be everyone who puts his hope in man.” But put your trust fully and with your whole heart in God, and he will be your strength;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 18:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will love thee, O Lord, my strength. These words are not in twenty second chapter of Second Samuel: the psalm there begins with Psalms 18:2.
Read John Gill on Psalms 18 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The time was the close of David's life.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 18 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePsalms 18 THE This Psalm, with some few and small variations, is written 2Sa 22. It was composed by David towards the end of his reign and life upon the occasion here mentioned. The servant of the Lord; who esteemeth it a greater honour to be thy servant, than to be king of Israel, and who doth entirely devote himself to thy service and glory. In the day that the Lord delivered him, i.e. after the death of Saul, and the conquest of all his succeeding enemies, and his own firm establishment in his kingdom. David professeth his love to God, , and his confidence in his attributes, . He praises God for deliverance out of trouble, . His experience of God’ s hearing him in an awful manner, . He…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 18 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 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 Musician] Some render it, Ad triumphandum; and well they may; for this is old David’ s επινικιον, or triumphant song after so many victories and deliverances; and it is twice recorded in Scripture, with very little variation, for the great worth and weightiness of the matter; that we may the more observe it, and be the better versed in it. This here recorded seemeth to be the review of it, and hence…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 18 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1) I will love thee.—Better, Dearly do I love thee. The line is wanting in Samuel. My strength.—This strikes the keynote of the whole poem. The strong, mighty God is the object in David’s thought throughout. It is a warrior’s song, and his conception of Jehovah is a warrior’s conception.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 18 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BiblePSALM XVIII David's address of thanks to Jehovah, 1-3. A relation of sufferings undergone, and prayers made for assistance, 4-6. A magnificent description of Divine interposition in behalf of the sufferer, 7-15; and of the deliverance wrought for him, 16-19. That this deliverance was in consideration of his righteousness, 20-24; and according to the tenor of God's equitable proceedings, 25-28. To Jehovah is ascribed the glory of the victory, 29-36; which is represented as complete by the destruction of all his opponents, 37-42. On these events the heathen submit, 43-45. And for all these things God is glorified, 46-50. NOTES ON PSALM XVIII The title: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 18 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–3. Introductory prelude, in which one title is heaped upon another to express all that experience had proved Jehovah to be to David.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 18 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will love thee, O Lord - This verse is not found in the song in 2 Sam. 22.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 18 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I love You, O LORD, my strength.
I love you, Yahweh, my strength.
For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength.
He said: “I love you, Lord, my source of strength!
Tyndale line
I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength.
I love thee, O LORD, my strength.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke to 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 him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid the seruant of the Lord, which spake unto the Lord the wordes of this song (in the day that the Lord delivered him for the hande of all this enemies, and form the and of saul) and sayd, I will loue thee dearely, O Lord my strength.
Strictly literal
I will love thee, O Jehovah, my strength.
To the Overseer. — By a servant of Jehovah, by David, who hath spoken to Jehovah the words of this song in the day Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and he saith: — I love Thee, O Jehovah, my strength.
TO THE OVERSEER. BY A SERVANT OF YHWH, BY DAVID, WHO HAS SPOKEN TO YHWH THE WORDS OF THIS SONG IN THE DAY YHWH DELIVERED HIM FROM THE HAND OF ALL HIS ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF SAUL, AND HE SAYS: I love You, O YHWH, my strength.
“To the chief musician, by the servant of the Lord, by David, who spoke unto the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the power of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul; (18:2) And he said,” I ever love thee, O Lord, my strength.
I love you, Yahweh, my strength.
From the Latin
Unto the end. A psalm for David.
Simplified
I love you, Lord. You are my strength.
I will give you my love, O Lord, my strength.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint in its rendering of the verse, confirming the consistency of the message across these ancient texts. The Dead Sea Scrolls also reflect similar themes, although some words are partly restored, indicating slight variations in preservation.
וַיֹּאמַ֡ר אֶרְחָמְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה חִזְקִֽי׃
4 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[למנצח] [לעבד] [יהוה] [לדויד] אשר דבר ליהוה [את] דברי השירה [הזואת] [ביום] [הציל] [יהוה] [אות׳ו] [מכף] כול אויבי׳ו ומיד שאול
8 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 11 supplied entire by an editor.
וביום [הציל] [יהוה] [אות׳ו] [מכף] [כל] [איבי׳ו] [ומיד] [שאול]
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 8 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 18:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Hc/Vqw3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
רָחַם (racham) is a Hebrew verb meaning to love or have compassion. It conveys a sense of deep affection and mercy, applicable to both God and humans. The root emphasizes tenderness and pity, with forms indicating active compassion (Piel) and being shown compassion (Pual). The entries consistently highlight its emotional depth and relational aspect.
[רָחַם] vb. denom. love. Pi. have compassion
Qal I love thee
Pi. have compassion, compassionate
Pu. be shewn compassion, compassionated
base
H7355 רָחַם vb. denom. love. Pi. have compassion
7355 racham raw-kham'
a primitive root; to fondle; by implication, to love,
especially to compassionate:--have compassion (on, upon),
love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon),
(have) pity, Ruhamah, X surely.
רָחַם (ra.cham) — to have compassion.
1) to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion
1a) (Qal) to love
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to have compassion, be compassionate
1b1a) of God, man
1c) (Pual) to be shown compassion, be compassionate
HVqi1cs/Sp2ms — Verb qal imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVqi1cs/Sp2ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
[חֵ֫זֶק] n.[m.] strength, only ψ 18:2
ref
H2391 חֵ֫זֶק
2391 chezeq khay'-zek
from 2388; help:--strength.
see HEBREW for 02388
חֵ֫זֶק (che.zeq) — strength.
strength
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs