Bible Commentary

They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 18. They prevented me ] They came upon me (R.V.), or, encountered me. Prevent is used in a sense which illustrates the transition from its original meaning to go before to its modern meaning to hinder. Cp. Milton’s Paradise Lost, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:18”

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 17. Figures are dropped, and David refers explicitly to his deliverance from his ‘strong’ or ‘fierce’ enemy Saul, and Saul’s partisans who hated him, from whom but for this Divine intervention he could not have … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:17”

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 16. He sent from above ] R.V., He sent from on high: but it seems better to render, He reached forth from on high, as the writer of Psa 144:7 understood the words. He stretched out His hand and caught hold … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:16”

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 15. The waters of the sea retreat, its bed is seen, and the hidden bases of the world are laid bare, owning their Lord and Master, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:15”

Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 14. And he sent out &c. (R.V.) gives the connexion better than Yea. Lightnings are Jehovah’s arrows. Cp. Psa 77:17; Hab 3:11. Scattered them clearly refers to the enemies whose destruction was the object of this Divine interposition … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:14”

The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire. 13. and the Highest &c.] R.V., and the Most High uttered his voice. The Most High is the title of God as the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. See Psa 7:17; and Appendix, Note II. Thunder … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:13”

At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire. 12. The best rendering of this obscure verse seems to be: From the brightness before him there passed through his thick clouds hailstones and coals of fire. The flashes of lightning, accompanied by hail (Exo 9:23-24), are as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:12”

He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies. 11. R.V. He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion round about him; Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. The darkness of the rain-charged storm-cloud is the tent in which Jehovah shrouds His Majesty. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:11”

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 10. As the Shechinah, or mystic Presence of Jehovah in the cloud of glory, rested over the cherubim which were upon the “Mercy-seat” or covering of the ark (2Sa 6:2; Psa 80:1; Heb 9:5), so here … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:10”

He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet. 9. The dark canopy of storm clouds, which is the pavement under His feet (Nah 1:3), lowers as He descends to judgment. God is said to come down when He manifests His power in the world (Gen 11:7; Gen 18:21; Isa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 18:9”