Psalms 18

This Psalm, with some few and small Variations, is written, 2 Sam. 22. It was composed by David towards the end of his Reign and Life upon the occasion here mentioned.

I Will love thee e, O LORD my strength From whom alone I have received all my strength and success and settlement, and in whom alone I trust, as it follows v. 2.. c Most affectionately and with my whole Soul; as the Hebrew word signifies. I can return thee no better thing for all thy Favours than my Love and Heart, which I pray thee to accept. By loving him he understands not only his inward affection, but also all the outward Expressions and Testimonies of it, praising and glorifying, and serving of him.

The LORD is my rock To which I flee for refuge, as the Israelites did to their Rocks. See Iudg. 6. 2. 1 Sam. 13. 6. and fortress, and my deliverer: my God, my strength in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn By which I have both defended my self and subdued mine Enemies. It is a Metaphor from those Beasts whose strength lyes in their Horns. The Horn is oft put for Power, as Psal. 92. 10. Amos 6. 1.... and elsewhere. of my salvation, and my high tower.

I will call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved Or, I did call—and was saved. For the Future Tense is commonly used for that which is Past. And this seems best to agree with the whole Context, which is to praise God for mercies already received. from mine enemies.

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 it's Bands upon me. Compare Psal. 73. 4. compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men Their great multitudes and strength, and violent assaults, breaking in upon me like a Flood. made me afraid.

The sorrows of hell Or, of the Grave, which brought me to the brink of the Grave. compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me Had almost taken hold of me, ere I was aware of my danger..

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cryed unto my God, he heard my voice out of his temple Either, 1. Out of his Sanctuary; whence he promised to hear and answer the Prayers of his People, which are either made there or directed thither. Or 2. Out of his heavenly Habitation, which is oft called his Temple; See on Psal. 11. 4., and my cry came before him, even unto his ears.

Then the earth shook and trembled Then God appeared on my behalf in a miraculous and glorious manner, and with the great Terror and Confusion of all mine Enemies, which is here compared to an Earthquake., the foundation also of the hills were moved and shaken The Earthquake was so deep and violent, that it overthrew whole Mountains by the Roots. Whereby he designs his lofty and potent Enemies; such being oft compared to Mountains, as Psal. 46. 3, 4. and 144. 5. Isa. 41. 15. &c., because he was wroth.

There went up a smoke out of his nostrils As is usual in Persons, Transported with great anger and rage. He manifested his great displeasure against my Adversaries., and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it Which notes the Fervency, Constancy, and Efficacy of his anger..

He bowed the heavens By producing thick and dark Clouds, by which the Heavens seem to come down to the Earth. also and came down Not by change of place, but by the Manifestation of his Presence, and Power on my behalf.. and darkness was under his feet.

And he rode upon a cherub Or, upon the Cherubims, by an Enallage of number, that is, upon the Angels, who are so called, Gen. 3. 24. Heb. 9. 5. who are also called God's Chariots, Psal. 68. 17. upon which he is said to sit and ride. All which is not to be understood grossly, but only to note God's using of the Ministry of Angels, in raising such Storms and Tempests as are here described., and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind As swiftly as the Wind. He came to my rescue with all speed..

He made darkness his secret place Or, his hiding Place, (i. e.) He covered himself with dark Clouds, from whence he secretly shot at his Enemies, as it follows.: his pavilion round about him, were dark waters (i. e.) Watry Vapours and thick Clouds, as the next Words expound these, and thick clouds of the skies.

At the brightness that was before him At his glorious and powerful appearance., his thick clouds passed Or, passed away, (i. e.) Vanished, (as this Word is oft taken, as Psal. 90. 5, 6. Isa. 29. 5. Hab. 3. 10.) being dissolved into showers of Hail-stones, &c., hail-stones and coals of fire.

The LORD also thundered b in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice (i. e.) Thunder, oft so called. The same thing expressed in other Words.: hailstones and coals of fire. q To wit, against my Adversaries. Thunder is a sign of God's Anger, 1 Sam. 2. 10. and 7. 10

Yea he sent out his arrows To wit, Lightnings, as it is explained in the next Clause., and scattered them To wit, mine Enemies: Which is sufficiently understood from v. 3. and 17. and from the whole Context.; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered By mighty and terrible Earthquakes which overturned the Earth, and made it's lower parts, uppermost and visible.: at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

He sent Angels, or assistance otherwise. from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me From them that wanted neither Malice nor Power.: for they were too strong for me.

They prevented me They were too cunning for me, and had almost surprized me, but they could not prevent thee. in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

He brought me forth Out of my Straits and Difficulties, out of the little Caves in which I was shut up and imprisoned. also into a large place Into a state of Freedom and Plenty, and Comfort.: he delivered me, because he delighted in me Or, loved me, or had a good will to me, as this Phrase commonly signifies. Whereby he ascribes all his Mercies and Blessings to God's good Pleasure and free Grace, as the first spring of them. Which he thought fit to Premise, lest the following Expressions should seem to savour of boasting of his own Merits, which he oft disclaims..

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness As I had a just Cause, and made it my Care and Business to deal righteously with God and with Saul and all others, so God (who has engaged himself by his Promise, to succour and reward them that are such) was graciously pleased to own me, and to plead my Cause against my unrighteous Enemies. And Because I would not deliver my self from my Straits and Miseries, by unrigteous means, namely, by killing Saul, as I was advised to do: God was pleased to deliver me in a more honourable and effectual manner.; according to the clanness of my hands o has he recompensed me. n (i. e.) The innocency of my Actions, and carriage towards Saul, from whose Blood I kept my hands pure.

For I have kept the ways of the LORD I have observed and obeyed his Precepts, and made mine own Will, and Passions and Interest stoop to them., and have not wickedly departed from my God (i. e.) I have not knowingly and wilfully forsaken God, and broken his Laws as wicked men do. Which he adds by way of Correction and Explication, lest the former or following Clauses, should be interpreted as a Profession of such a perfect and Sinless righteousness, whereby he might in strict Justice be justified by, and before God; which he elsewhere utterly disowns, Psal. 130. 3. and 143. 2. and which David, especially towards the end of his days, (when this Psalm was Composed, as the Title shows) could not pretend to without great Arrogancy and Falshood, as having been guilty of those great Sins of Murder and Adu... tery, and many other Errors, as he confesseth, Psal. 19. 12. and oft elsewhere:.

For all his judgments were before me (i. e.) Before the Eyes of my Mind. I diligently studied and Considered them, that I might govern my whole Life by them., and I did not * put away his statutes from me (i. e.) Out of my view, as ungodly men do; who like not to retain God nor his Word in their Hearts, or Thoughts..

I was also upright before him I did not pretend Religion before men for my own Ends, but did approve my Heart and ways to the all-seeing God.: and I kept my self from mine iniquity (i. e.) From that sin which I was most inclined, or tempted: Either, 1. From my. Hereditary and natural Corruption, so far that it should not have Dominion over me, nor break forth into any Presumptuous or Scandalous sins. Or rather, 2. From the sin of killing Saul, which might be called his sin, because this might seem most agreeable and desireable to him both as a Man and as a Souldier, and as anointed to be King, as being a likely way, both to revenge and to preserve and to advance himself; to which also he might seem to be both invited by the fair Opportunity which Providence had put into his Hand, 1 Sam. 24. 4. and 26. 8. and necessitated by Saul's implacable Malice, and his own perpetual and extream Dangers and Distresses; and to which he was so strongly tempted by his own followers, in the place now quoted..

Therefore has the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his Eyesight.

With the merciful man thou wilt show thy self merciful with an upright man thou wilt show thy self upright Or, sincere, to wit, in performing what thou hast Promised to such Persons, this being a great part or act of Sincerity, when... nes Deeds and Words, or Professio... s agree together; as on the contrary for those that deal Hypocritically and wickedly with thee, thou wi... st make them to know thy of Promise, as it is expressed, Numb. 14. 34. The Sense of the Verse, Thou me... est to every one the same measure, which he meteth out to others, and givest to him the Fruit of his own doings, and therefore thou wilst perform mercy and truth, to those who are merciful and true to others, as through thy mercy I have been..

With the pure thou wilt show thy self pure Free from the least mixture or appearance of unrighteousness, or unfaithfulness, or unkindness, or simply and sincerely such as thou usest, and hast promised to be to them that are such: for Purity is oft put for Sincerity., and with the froward thou wilst show thy self froward Or, perv... rse, (i. e.) Thou wilst Cross him and Walk contrary to him, as thou hast threatned, Levit. 26. 23, 24. See also, Prov. 3. 34, Man's perversness here is moral and sinful, but God's perversness is judicial and penal..

For thou wilt save the afflicted people Such as I and my poor followers were.: but wilt bring down high looks (i. e.) Proud Persons who discover the pride of their Hearts, by their haughty looks and Carriages, Psal. 101. 5. Prov. 6. 17. such as mine Enemies were..

For thou wilt light my candle Or, thou dost light, or hast lighted my Candle, (i. e.) given me Safety and Comfort, and Prosperity and Glory, and Posterity also; all which are oft signified by a Candle or a Light, as Esth. 8. 16. Iob 21. 17. and 29. 3. Psal. 97. 11. and 132. 17. &c.: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

For by thee I have run through a troop (i. e.) Broken through the armed Troops of mine Enemies.: and by my God have I leaped over a wall I have scaled the Walls of their strongest Cities and Castles, and so taken them..

As for God his way is perfect His Counsel and Providence, though it may sometimes be dark and hard to be understood, yet is always wise and just, and every way perfect or unblameable.: the word of the LORD is tryed The truth of God's promises is certain, and approved by innumerable Experiences, and mine among the rest.: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

For who is God save the LORD It must needs be as I have said, because our Lord is the only God, and therefore there is none, neither God nor Creature, that can hinder him from accomplishing his own word and work, or from defending those that trust him: He is unchangeable and invincible. Or this is an Amplification, as God is, what I have now described him to be, so he only is such, and there is no other God, or Rock in which they may safely trust.? or who is a Rock save our God!

It is God that girdeth me with strength That gives me strength both of Mind and Body for Battel. It is a Metaphor taken either from a Military Girdle, or from a Common Girdle, wherewith their loose Garments were girt about them, whereby they were rendred fitter for any Action., and maketh my way perfect (i. e.) Perfectly plain and smooth, and clear from Impediments, as Pioneers use to prepare the way for the March of an Army. He guideth me in all my Counsels and enterprizes, so that I neither miss my way, nor stumble in it, nor come short of my end..

He maketh my feet like hinds feet (i. e.) Most swist and nimble. As he made me wise in Counsel and Contrivance, (which he elsewhere says) so he made me speedy and Expeditious in the Execution: Which are the two great Excellencies of a Captain. He gave me great Agility either to f... ee and escape from mine Enemies, when prudence required it, or to pursue them, when I saw occasion., and setteth me Heb. maketh me to stand, (i. e.) Either he placeth me in safe and strong places, out of the reach of mine Enemies...: Or he confirms and establisheth me in that high and honourable estate into which he has advanced me; and gives me to improve my Victories. upon my high places.

* He teacheth my hands to war To him I owe all that Military skill, or Strength or Courage which I have., so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms My strength is sufficient not only to bend it, but to break it..

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation Thy Safeguard and Protection, which has been to me like a shield to defend me.: and thy right hand has holden m... up Kept me from falling into those Snare and Mischiefs, which mine Enemies designed and I seared., and ‖ thy gentleness Or,, as this word signifies,. 12. 3. Psal. 10. 17. 45. 4. Zeph. 2, 3. (i. e.) Thy Clemency, whereby thou pardoned my sins, which might otherwise have undone me, and mitigated thy Corrections which I have deserved, thy Grace and Benignity, which thou hast freely showed to me and for me. has made me great.

Thou hast enlarged my steps Which before were straitned and confined to a little Compass, and intangled with the narrowness and difficulty of the way. Thou hast set my... eet in a large Room, Psal. 31. 8. and 118. 5. (i. e.) Thou hast brought me out of all my straits and Difficulties, into a state of Freedom and Safety. under me: that my feet did not slip Or, stumble, as they are apt to do in narrow and uneven ways..

I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

I have wounded them that they were not able to rise. they are fallen under my feet (i. e.) Cast down to the ground, so as I may tread upon their Necks after the manner of Conquerors, Deut. 33. 29. Ios. 10. 24..

For thou hast girded me with strength He repeats what he had said, v. 32. lest he should seem to arrogate to himself his great Atchievements and Victories mentioned, v. 37, 38. and that he might give God the whole Praise and Glory of them. unto the battel: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

Thou hast also given me the necks Either, 1. That I might smite or behead them. Or 2. That I might put my yoke upon their Necks, or bring them into Subjection. Or rather thus, Thou hast made them turn their Backs to me, (i. e.) Flee away from me: for so this very Phrase is used and rendred, Exod. 23. 27. Ios. 7, 8. 12. and elsewhere. So far are they mistaken, that say this Hebrew word Oreph is only used for the Neck and not for the Back. of mine enemies: that I might destroy them That I might have Opportunity to destroy them. that hate me.

They cryed, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD He speaks of his Israelitish Enemies, who in their Distresses prayed to God for help against him., but he answered them not.

Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out Or, Rid them away, as Dirt is usually swept or carried out of Houses or Streets. Or, tread them down; Or br... se them, as men do Dirt when they walk in the Streets. as dirt in the streets.

Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people From Contentions, and Seditions, and Tumults of my own people under Saul, and Ihbosheth and Absalom.: and thou hast made me the head of the heathen Of the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Syrians and others.: a people whom I have not known Whom I had no acquaintance with, nor Relation to, no not by thy Promise or Grant; even barbarous and remote Nations. shall serve me.

Assoon as they hear of me Either, 1. At the fame of my Name, and Victorious Arms. Or 2. At the first ridings of my coming towards them. Or rather, 3. As soon as they understand my Will and Pleasure, they shall instantly comply with it., they shall obey me: † the strangers shall submit themselves unto me Heb. Shall... ye unto me, (i. e.) Shall submit themselves to me not willingly and cheerfully, as they will pretend, but only out of fear, and by constraint. By which it appears that this is spoken with reference to David, and not (as some would have it) to Christ, because Christ's people are a willing People, Psal. 110. 3. and those whom he Conquess do freely obey him..

The strangers shall fade away (i. e.) Shall wither and decay in their hopes and strength., and be afraid (i. e.) Shall come trembling: one Verb being put for two, as Psal. 22. 21. thou hast heard me, (i. e.) Having delivered me, and 42. 1. panteth, (i. e.) Panting hastneth, and in many other places., out of their close places Out of their strong holds, where they shall lurk and keep themselves for fear of me, and whence they dare not stir without trembling. Or, for (as the Particle Mem is oft used) their close places, (i. e.) Lest I should assault and take them..

The LORD liveth He and he only is the true living God, as he has manifested himself to be for my Comfort and for the Confusion of mine Enemies, when other Gods are dead and impotent Idols. Or, Let the Lord live. So it is a joyful and thankful Acclamation spoken after the manner of earthly Princes., and blessed be my rock Let him have all blessing and praise, for he is worthy of it.: and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

It is God that avengeth me That executed Vengeance both by me, against Malicious Enemies, and for me against Saul, of whom I would not avenge my self.; and subdueth the people under me.

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me Above their Malice and Power.: thou hast delivered me from the violent man From Saul: whom for Honours sake he forbears to mention..

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen Or, among the Gentiles or Nations; (i. e.) Either, 1. In the great Congregations consisting of the Israelites of all Tribes; of whom this very word is used, Ios. 3. 17. and 4. 1. Ezek. 2. 3. and elsewhere, as has been noted before, Or 2. In the Presence of those Gentiles, who resorted to Ierusalem in great numbers, or before others of them; who are either subject to me, or Consederate with me, as I have occasion of speaking or writing to any of them. But this was but an uncertain and inconsiderable Business. And therefore David is here transported beyond himself, even to his seed for ever, as it is expressed v. 50. and speaks this in special Relation to Christ, who was to be his seed, and of whom he was an Eminent Type, and by whom alone this was done, to any purpose. And therefore this is justly applied to him, and to his Preaching to and calling of the Gentiles, Rom. 15. 9.: and sing praises unto thy name.

Great deliverance giveth he to his king To the King whom God himself chose and anointed or constituted.: and shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed To all his Posterity, and especially to the Mess... as, who is called David's seed, Act. 13. 23. Rom. 1. 3. and his So..., Psal. 89. 27. and 110. 1: Comp. with Mat. 22. 42. and the Seed by way of Eminency, Gal. 3. 16. and Gods anointed and King, Psal. 2. 2. for evermore.