Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 18

David’s Song of Deliverance and PraiseThis psalm was written by David when God saved him from his enemies. The title says this song was also given to the chief musician for use in worship (2 Samuel 22:1 ). David is called "the servant of the Lord

v. 2: He continues, The Lord

v. 3: David says, I will call upon the Lord

v. 4-5: David remembers the danger he faced: The cords of death surrounded me; the torrents of destruction terrified me (Psalms 18:4-5 ). His enemies came at him like a flood and he felt trapped and afraid. He thought he was close to death, and the situation seemed hopeless (Psalm 116:3 ).

v. 6: In his distress, he called upon the Lord

v. 7-15: God’s response to David’s prayer was powerful and amazing. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of the hills also quaked (Psalm 18:7 ). God showed His anger against David’s enemies by making the earth shake and sending fire and lightning (Psalm 18:8, 14 ). He came down Himself, riding on a cherub and flying on the wind to save David (Psalm 18:9-10 ). God’s ways are sometimes hidden, like darkness around Him, but He always brings light and help to His people (Isaiah 45:15 ). When God acts, even the darkest times can become bright and hopeful (Psalm 18:11-12 ).

v. 16-18: The rescue was difficult and dramatic. He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters (Psalm 18:16 ). David’s enemies were strong and hated him. They almost defeated him, but God supported him and did not let him sink (Psalm 18:17-18 ).

v. 19: God brought David out of trouble into a safe and wide place. He delivered me because He delighted in me . God saved David, not because David was perfect, but because of God’s love and grace (2 Samuel 15:26 ).This psalm teaches us to trust God in every situation and to praise Him for help. We can also see a picture of Jesus, the Son of David, who faced suffering, prayed in distress (Hebrews 5:7 ), and was raised to new life because God delighted in Him.

Devout Thanksgivings; Devout ConfidenceIn this section, David looks back on his life and feels comfort because he has tried to live with honesty and faithfulness. God’s deliverance proves that David was innocent of the things his enemies accused him of. David also explains that God treats people according to their actions and attitudes. He shows that God is merciful to the merciful, but opposes those who are proud and stubborn. These verses encourage us to trust God, live uprightly, and find hope even when we feel low or discouraged.v. 20: David says, The Lord

v. 21: David continues, For I have kept the ways of the Lord

v. 22: He says, All His judgments were before me, and I did not put away His statutes from me . David kept God’s commands in his mind and made it his goal to obey all of them, not ignoring any part.

v. 23: I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from my iniquity . David tried hard to stay away from his own sinful habits and to live honestly before God.

v. 24: He repeats, Therefore the Lord

v. 25: David explains, With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless . God treats people as they treat others. If we are kind and faithful, God is kind and faithful to us (Matthew 5:7 ).

v. 26: With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd . If we try to trick or oppose God, He will oppose us in return (Leviticus 26:21,24 ).

v. 27: For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks . God helps those who are humble and suffer patiently, but He brings down those who are proud and look down on others.

v. 28: For You will light my candle: the Lord

Grateful Remembrance of Past Deliverances; Confidence in the Divine Goodness.In this section, David remembers how God has helped him in the past and praises Him for His goodness. David sees that all his victories and successes come from God, not from his own strength. He also looks forward with hope, trusting that God will continue to help him and his descendants. David’s story is meant to show us that God is always faithful to those who trust in Him. We are encouraged to give thanks for God’s help and to believe that He will keep helping us in the future.v. 29: David says, For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall . God made him bold and strong, so he was able to do things that seemed impossible.

v. 30: As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord

v. 31: For who is God, but the Lord

v. 32: It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect . David knows that all his abilities and successes are gifts from God.

v. 33: He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me on my high places . God helps David move quickly and safely, even in danger.

v. 34: He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze . God gave David skills in battle that he never learned on his own.

v. 35: You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great . God not only saved David but also taught him and raised him to honor.

v. 36: You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip . God kept David steady and safe as he moved forward.

v. 37: I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed . David could defeat his enemies because God gave him strength and victory.

v. 38–42: David describes how he defeated his enemies completely because God helped him. When his enemies called for help, no one saved them, not even God, because they fought against Him (Psalm 18:38-42 ).

v. 43–45: You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; You have made me the head of the nations (Psalm 18:43 ). God made David a ruler over many nations, even people he did not know now serve him.

v. 46: The Lord

v. 47–49: It is God who avenges me and subdues peoples under me (Psalm 18:47 ). David gives God all the credit for his victories and promises to praise Him among the nations (Psalm 18:49 ).

v. 50: He gives great deliverance to His king, and shows mercy to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever (Psalm 18:50 ). David believes that God’s kindness will continue to his family, and points forward to the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16 ).When we read these verses, we should remember to thank God for all the good things He has done for us, praise Him for His faithfulness, and trust that He will keep helping His people forever.