Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:32
[It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
32. It is God ] R.V., The God [ El ] that girdeth me with strength. Cp. Psa 18:39; Psa 93:1 ; 1Sa 2:4.
maketh my way perfect ] Removing the obstacles which might have hindered me from the complete accomplishment of the career He has marked out for me. Observe the analogy between the perfection of God’s way ( Psa 18:30) and His servant’s. Cp. Mat 5:48 for a higher development of the same thought.
The traditional reading ( Qr) in 2 Sam. is, “God is my strong fortress, and guideth my way in perfectness”; while the written text ( Kthbh) has, “he guideth the perfect in his way”: but the exact meaning is obscure. A simpler word has apparently been substituted in the text of the Psalm.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
It is God that girdeth me with strength – Who gives me strength. The word girdeth contains an allusion to the mode of dress among the orientals, the long flowing robe, which was girded up when they ran or labored, that it might not impede them; and, probably, with the additional idea that girding the loins contributed to strength. It is a common custom now for men who run a race, or leap, or engage in a strife of pugilism, to gird or bind up their loins. See Job 40:7, note; and Mat 5:38-41, notes.
And maketh my way perfect – Gives me complete success in my undertakings; or, enables me so to carry them out that none of them fail.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 32. God – girdeth me with strength] The girdle was a necessary part of the Eastern dress; it strengthened and supported the loins; served to confine the garments close to the body; and in it they tucked them up when journeying. The strength of God was to his soul what the girdle was to the body. I need not add, that the girdle was also an ornamental part of the dress, and from it the sword was suspended.
And maketh my way perfect.] He directs me so that I do not go astray; he blesses me in my undertakings; and by him the issue of my labours is crowned with prosperity.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
That girdeth me with strength; that gives me strength both of mind and body for battle. 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 rendered fitter for any action.
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 guided me in all my counsels and enterprises, so that I neither miss my way, nor stumble in it, nor come short of my end.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
[It is] God that girdeth me with strength,…. For battle, as in Ps 18:39; with strength of body and fortitude of mind; both which are from the Lord, and were in David; and were acknowledged by him as bestowed on him by the Lord; and which confirms what he had before said of him: or with spiritual strength, with strength in his soul, against sin, Satan, and the world; and to do the will and work of God: saints are girt by the Lord with the whole armour of God, and among the rest with the girdle of truth; and are prepared and ready to every good work; see 1Sa 2:4. Hannah’s song is again referred to: in
2Sa 22:33, the words are, “God is my strength [and] power”; they are true of Christ, the man of God’s right hand, whom he promised to strengthen, and whom he has made strong for himself, Ps 80:17;
and maketh my way perfect; or safe, or prosperous. God removed every impediment and obstacle out of his way, and made it plain and easy, as Jarchi observes; and succeeded him, and gave him victory over his enemies; this has been verified in Christ, who has conquered sin, Satan, the world, death, and the grave: for this is not to be understood of the way and course of David’s life and conversation, which was not perfect and unspotted, but had many blemishes and imperfections in it, which he often owns, confesses, and bewails.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Taught of God
Verses 32-50:
Verses 32, 33 relate David’s praise to God who continually girded and sustained him with strength and made his ways perfect, by His spirit, even as He is perfect, v. 30; Mat 5:48. He added that the Lord caused his feet to be like the hind, of fleet movement in conquests, and set him up or exalted him upon his “high places,” his places of administrative rule in Jerusalem and over all Israel, 2Sa 2:18; Hab 3:19; Deu 32:13; Deu 33:29.
Verses 34-36 extol Jehovah God for teaching David’s hands to war, so that a bow of steel was broken, bent or stretched by his arms. His prowess in warfare he attributed to God alone, not to himself. He declared that God had given to him his shield of His salvation, and upheld him in battle by His own right hand of strength, so that His gentle care had made David to be great, as expressed in our salvation as a gift from God, warding off fiery darts of Satan, Eph 6:12-16. He is lowly, gentle toward His people, Isa 27:8; Isa 66:1-2; Hos 11:1; Hos 11:3-4; Deu 1:31; Deu 32:10-12; Mat 11:28-30. David witnessed that the Lord had “enlarged his steps under him,” cleared out or removed hindrances so that his feet did not slip or his ankles did not turn under him as he was in conflict with his enemies.
Verses 37, 38 add that it was God who helped him to pursue and overtake his enemies in flight, nor did he turn back until they were consumed or subdued, surrendered, in death or defeat. He stated that he had wounded them, as his and God’s enemies, as they fell at his feet and were not able to rise, even to this moment; as he acknowledged the Lord in all his battles and ways, Pro 3:3-5.
Verses 39-42 continue David’s praise to the Lord for girding in strength for battle, subduing those who rose up before him, giving him the necks of his enemies, that he might destroy those who hated him for his love for God, Eph 6:11-18. The enemies are described as crying, even to the Lord, when it was too late, as the rich man did from hell, Luk 16:25; See also Pro 1:22-30; Pro 29:1.
Verse 42 asserts that then, in their heathen like rebellion against God’s anointed, David did beat them fine as the dust before the wind and cast them to be trampled in humiliation in the streets. See Exo 23:27; Jos 7:8; 1Ch 11:16-19; See further Job 27:9; Job 35:12-13; Pro 1:28; Isa 1:15; Jer 11:11; Jer 14:12; Eze 8:18; Mic 3:4.
Verse 43-45 praise God for delivering David from the striving, clamoring of the masses, making him head over the heathen, a people he had now known, to serve as lord over them, Psa 35:1. He expressed belief that as soon as they heard of him they would be glad to have him serve as king over them, as they voluntarily submitted to obey him, 2Sa 8:9-12; 2Sa 22:44. Even the strangers would “fade away,” become faint, draw back from opposing David’s reign over them, Mic 7:17. Even so shall all men one day fall down in reverential submission to the judgeship of Jesus Christ, Rom 14:11-12; Php_2:10-11.
Verses 46, 47 witness that the Lord lived on, as a living, helping God, a rock of strength to David, even that rock, Jesus Christ the Messiah, 1Co 10:4; Jer 10:10. He asked that God of his salvation be exalted. He added that it was the true, living God who avenged him of his enemies and subdued them under his feet, even as our Lord shall one day triumph over all the earth in His glorious reign in the restitution of all things to the Father, Act 3:19-21; 1Co 15:24-28.
Verse 48 recounts David’s testimony that God continuously, without interruption, delivered him from his enemies, continually exalting him above and over those who arose as insurrectionists against him, in his own kingdom, even delivering him from the violent man, the man who sought his life, be it Saul, Absalom, or other of his enemies, Psa 59:1.
Verse 49 concludes that out of gratitude for the Lord’s delivering and protecting care over him he would sing praises to the living God, and give thanks before and among the heathen, for his name, honor, merited gratitude and praise, Rom 15:9. In praising men one may exaggerate, stretch the truth, but not in praising God. His excellence in character and deed always excel our ability of praise to Him, Deu 32:43; Psa 117:1. These passages indicate that salvation was then, is now, and will always be for the heathen, for all gentiles, as well as all Jews who will trust in the Redeemer, Act 10:43; Rom 1:16.
Verse 50 summarizes David’s praise of this Psalm in declaring that He (God) continually gives great deliverance to His King, even to David, showing mercy continuously to David, His anointed and to his seed for evermore, even to the coming of Jesus Christ as Redeemer at his first advent, Luk 1:30-34; And as the restorer of all the universe to harmony with God the Father at His second advent, Rom 8:16-26.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
32. It is God who hath girded. This is a metaphor taken either from the belt or girdle of a warrior, or from the reins, in which the Scripture sometimes places a man’s vigor or strength. It is, therefore, as if he had said, I, who would otherwise have been feeble and effeminate, have been made strong and courageous by the power of God. He afterwards speaks of the success itself with which God had favored him; for it would not be enough for persons to have prompt and active courage, nor even to excel in strength, if their undertakings were not at the same time crowned with a prosperous issue. Irreligious men imagine that this proceeds from their own prudence, or from fortune; but David ascribes it to God alone: It is God who hath made my way perfect. The word way is here to be understood of the course of our actions, and the language implies, that whatever David undertook, God, by his blessing, directed it to a successful issue.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(32) The verse should run on closely from the last. The italics spoil it.
Girdeth.The importance of the girdle in a country where the dress was loose and flowing is shown by many passages of Scripture. It is essential to the warrior as here (comp. Eph. 6:14, and the Greek expression, to be girt = to be armed), but also for all active exertion.
Way.Here, not of conduct, but the military path, the march. Notice the variation in Samuel.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
32. Girdeth “The figure of girding is significant, because, in the Oriental dress, the girdle is essential to all free and active motion.” Alexander.
My way perfect Upright before God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 18:32. It is God that girdeth me, &c. The form of speaking here seems to be taken from the military belt which officers wore as the emblem of authority and valour; and the meaning is, that God distinguished him by inspiring him with a superior spirit of courage, and the highest resolution and fortitude in war. He maketh my way perfect, means, he directeth me to those methods which secure my success. A man’s way in the pursuit of any end is perfect, when the means that he uses to attain it are proper and direct, and will finally render him successful in it: and thus God made David’s way perfect, as he gave him the surest directions how to act, and prospered him in all his measures to support the dignity of his crown and government. Chandler. Green renders it, He maketh my warfare complete: and he endeavours to prove on Psa 2:12 that the word derek is frequently used in this sense.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
These are all glorious triumphs of our risen and exalted Saviour. And He who hath thus conquered for us, can and will conquer sin in us. Like another Joshua, our Almighty Leader and Commander, which Jehovah hath given to his people, he will put our feet upon the neck of all our enemies. Isa 55:4 ; Jos 10:24 ; Rom 16:20 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 18:32 [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Ver. 32. It is God that girdeth me with strength ] It is a metaphor, saith Vatablus, either from a soldier’s belt, which buckleth his armour close to him, and maketh him more steady; or else from the reins themselves, in which the Scripture sometimes placeth strength and vigour. God did all for David; and hath here the glory of all his valour and victories.
And maketh my way perfect
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
strength = might (for valour). Hebrew. hil. Not the same as verses: Psa 18:1, Psa 18:2, Psa 18:17, Psa 1:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
girdeth: The girdle was a necessary part of the eastern dress: It strengthened and supported the loins; served to confine the garments close to the body; and to tuck them in when journeying. The strength of God was to his soul what the girdle was to his body. Psa 28:7, Psa 91:2, Psa 93:1, Isa 45:5, 2Co 3:5
maketh: 2Sa 22:33
Reciprocal: Gen 49:24 – were made Jos 14:12 – if so be 1Sa 19:8 – David 2Sa 22:40 – girded 1Ch 19:18 – fled before Israel 1Ch 29:12 – give strength Psa 18:1 – my Psa 18:39 – girded Psa 60:12 – we shall Psa 62:6 – rock Psa 89:21 – With Isa 5:27 – neither Isa 23:10 – strength Isa 28:6 – and for strength Eze 30:24 – I will Zec 9:13 – made Zec 12:5 – The inhabitants Heb 11:33 – through
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 18:32. It is God that girdeth me with strength That inspires me with courage, fortitude, and resolution, and gives me strength both of mind and body in battle and war. It is a metaphor taken, either from a military girdle, or a common girdle, wherewith their loose garments were girded about them, and whereby they were rendered fitter for any action. He maketh my way perfect Perfectly plain, and clear from impediments, as pioneers use to prepare the way for the march of an army. Or, the meaning is, he guides me in all my counsels and enterprises, so that I neither miss my way, nor stumble in it, nor come short of my end. A mans way, in the pursuit of any end, is perfect when the means he uses to attain it are proper and direct, and will finally render him successful in it: and thus God made Davids way perfect as he gave him the surest directions how to act, and prospered him in all his measures, to support the dignity of his crown and government. Chandler.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
18:32 [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my {z} way perfect.
(z) He gives good success to all my enterprises.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
We should probably read Psa 18:32 with Psa 18:33 rather than with Psa 18:31. David gave the Lord credit for enabling him to be a strong and effective warrior. God was responsible for David’s successes in battle.