Psalms 18

Ver. 2. — horn of my salvation.] See note on 1 Sam. ii. 1.

Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech.] The return of the sun from one day unto another day tells us that there is a God; and the like return of the moon or stars, or darkness from one night unto another night, teaches us the same. Dr. Wells.

Psalms 18:3

3. There is no speech &c.] They are not endowed, like man, with the faculty of speech; but they address themselves to the mind of the intelligent beholder in another, and that, when understood, a no less forcible way; the way of picture, or representation. Bp. Horne.

Psalms 18:4

4. Their line is gone out &c.] Rather, Their sound is gone out into all the earth, and their report, &c. Dr. Waterland and Old Translation. The meaning is, they proclaim the Divine glory in plain and intelligible characters, to the remotest parts of the earth; as the Gospel shall be proclaimed hereafter by the preaching of the Apostles, Rom. x. 18. Travell.

— a tabernacle for the sun.] The nuptials of the Jews, and other Eastern nations, were celebrated with great magnificence and splendour. They were held under a tent, or canopy, erected for that purpose, to which custom David here alludes; as he does in the

Psalms 18:5

5. The sorrows of hell &c.] David here means, that such sorrows as had almost brought him to the grave, compassed him about: and his enemies came on so suddenly that he had not time to escape them by flight. Dr. Wells.

— the snares of death] These “snares” or toils “of death,” or the grave, allude to the ancient manner of hunting, which is still practised in some countries, and was performed by surrounding a considerable tract of ground by a circle of nets, (compare Ps. cxl. 5.) and afterwards contracting the circle by degrees, till they had forced all the beasts of that quarter together into a narrow compass; and then it was that the slaughter began. Parkhurst.

David’s psalm of thanksgiving.

Psalms 18:7

7. Then the earth &c.] The Psalmist seems here to allude to a dreadful tempest, which fell upon his enemies, and made the very earth tremble under them. Bp. Patrick. This and the following verses are highly poetical; and must be understood to signify, that the deliverance of David was the effect of the Divine power miraculously exerted. Travell.

Psalms 18:8

8. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils.] The ancients placed the seat of anger in the nose, or nostrils, because when the passion grows warm or violent, it discovers itself by the heated vehement breath which proceeds from them. This description of a smoke arising into, and a fire breaking forth from, the nostrils of God, denotes, by a poetical figure, the greatness of his anger and indignation. Dr. Chandler.

9. — pure.] The original word should be translated as it is in the Greek, “clear” or “bright.” Bp. Lowth, Dr. Kennicott.

Psalms 18:9

9. — clean.] That is, pure, or free from all alloy of superstition. Green.

Psalms 18:10

10. — he rode upon a cherub, &c.] He was attended, and, as it were, carried by angels as in a chariot, and did move very swiftly; yea, He did move as swift as the wind, and a rapid wind did accompany his descent. Dr. Wells.

11. More to be desired &c.] The Divine law is far more precious than the richest treasures upon earth; and more delightful to him who practises it, than the most luxurious sensual pleasures. Travell.

— and the honeycomb.] Or, as in the margin, the dropping of the honeycomb, which is the choicest part of the honey. Green.

Pliny says, “In all kinds of honey, that which flows of itself as wine and oil, and is called aceton, that is, without sediment, is most commended.” And Homer mentions “honey spontaneously distilling,” as peculiarly sweet. Parkhurst.

12. — his errors? That is, sins of ignorance and infirmity; or, as it follows, those secret faults which escape our notice. Green.

Psalms 18:11

11. He made darkness &c.] The meaning is, that He and all his heavenly attendants were surrounded with thick dark clouds. Dr. Wells.

Psalms 18:12

12. — coals of fire.] The word, rendered “coals of of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

Psalms 18:13

13. Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, &c.] The Psalmist, having characterized those who pursued after him to take away his life, now intreats God to “arise,” or appear in his cause; to “disappoint,” or “prevent” the enemy in his designs; and to “cast him down,” to overthrow and subdue him. The next words may be thus rendered; “Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword, from men by thy hand, O Lord, from the men of the world:” the expressions, “sword, and hand of Jehovah,” being frequently used to denote his power and vengeance. Bp. Horne.

— which is thy sword.] Which is the instrument Thou employest for the execution of thy judgments. S. Clarke.

13. — presumptuous sins.] Wilful and deliberate sins. Dr. Wells.

— the great transgression.] The meaning of this expression may be, rebellion and final apostasy from God. Bp. Horne. Or, idolatry. Dr. Kennicott. Or, it may be taken generally, any great transgression. Dr. Wells.

King David here mentions two principal means by which God has made Himself known to us; which are, the works of nature, and his word. Let us therefore make a good use of both these means; meditating upon the marvellous works of God, which afford us such proofs of his power and wisdom; but particularly let us apply ourselves to the reading and meditating on his word. David’s high encomiums on God’s word inform us, that it is a sure, evident, and unerring rule of faith and practice; that it is of infinitely more value

Psalms 18:14

14. — whose belly thou fillest &c.] Whose bellies thou fillest with thy stores, or abundance of temporal blessings; whose children are fed to the full, and who leave the rest of their substance to their little ones. Green, Bp. Horne.

Psalms 18:15

15. As for me, I will behold &c.] He either prays that he may keep on, or is confident that he shall keep on, in a way of righteousness, and enjoy the presence of God, and be satisfied every morning with the image or idea of God. Mudge.

— when I awake.] He appears to say this with reference to the resurrection of the just. Dr. Hammond.

The confidence with which David calls upon the Lord in this Psalm, and the hope he possessed that God would have regard to his innocence, shews the great happiness of the good; since they can in all conditions apply themselves to God with assurance, knowing that He will always be their protector. The last words of this Psalm should raise our thoughts to the desire and

words of a 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.

15. Then the channels &c.] This alludes to the manner of God’s destroying the Egyptians by drying up the channels of the sea, that deep on which the earth is said to be founded; and so engaging them to enter into it, and then bringing the waters upon them. This poetical description is preparatory to David’s deliverances which follow. Fenton.

Psalms 18:16

16. — many waters.] Sudden and great calamities are frequently expressed in Scripture under the figure of a deluge of waters. Bp. Lowth.

Psalms 18:18

18. They prevented me] That is, came on me suddenly, unawares, when I was unprovided and helpless. Bp. Patrick.

Psalms 18:19

19. — a large place;] Meaning a state of liberty. Bp. Patrick.

Psalms 18:26

26. — with the froward &c.] That is, to the perverse Thou wilt shew thyself an adversary. Green.

Psalms 18:28

28. — light my candle;] Give me light and joy. Bp. Wilson.

Psalms 18:29

29. For by thee &c.] Through Thee I break the troops of the enemy; through my God I leap over walls,

The creatures shew God’s glory. David prayeth for grace. ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. a Gen. 1. 6.

THE a heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handywork.