Verse 1

David spake. At this point in his history (about 1018 B.C.) This song was written and edited by him later as Psa 18, with the full liberty of all other editors of their own work.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

this song. Compare Exodus 15. Deut 32.

Verse 2

rock. Hebrew. sela = a shadow, or shelter. First occurrence.

Verse 3

The God of my rock. Septuagint and Syriac read "My God was my rock" = immovable defence (Deuteronomy 32:4).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

rock. Hebrew zur = a cliff, in situ. See Psalms 18:2; Psalms 31:3, Psalms 31:42, Psalms 31:9; Psalms 71:3.

Verse 5

When, or, For.

ungodly men = Belial.

Verse 6

sorrows of hell = meshes of Sheol. See App-35

Verse 8

The. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "and the".

Verse 11

fly. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

was seen. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and darted".

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Verse 12

Dark gathering of.

Verse 14

the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4.

Verse 16

channels. Hebrew. aphikim, a watercourse, con-strained by rocks or pipes or rocky channels. First occurrence. See Job 6:15; Job 12:21; Job 40:18; Job 41:15. Psalms 18:15; Psalms 18:42.; 2 Samuel 126:4. Song of Solomon 5:12. Isaiah 8:7. Ezekiel 6:3; Ezekiel 31:12; Ezekiel 32:6; Ezekiel 34:13; Ezekiel 35:8; Ezekiel 36:4, Ezekiel 36:6. Joel 1:20, Joel 3:18. See notes on these eighteen passages for the various renderings.

discovered = laid bare.

blast = nesheimah. App-16.

breath. Hebrew ruach. App-9.

Verse 18

from. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, read "and from". Compare Psalms 18:17.

Verse 19

prevented = got before.

Verse 23

judgments. Compare Deuteronomy 4:1, note.

Verse 24

upright = blameless. Hebrew. tamim.

iniquity. Hebrew "avah. App-44.

Verse 27

show Thyself unsavoury = show Thyself ready to contend.

unsavoury = a wrestler. Compare Psalms 18:26.

Verse 28

merciful = gracious.

And. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "And" in text. man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14.

Verse 29

lamp = light.

Verse 30

By. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "And by".

Verse 31

GOD. Hebrew. "El. App-4.

word = statements. Hebrew. "imrah, what is said. See App-73.

is tried = hath been proved.

Verse 32

who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

Verse 33

strength = fortress.

power = strength.

maketh my way perfect: or, showeth to the blameless His way. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "my way", as in Psalms 18:32.

Verse 34

setteth = maketh me to stand firm.

my high places. Contrast the "high places "so fatal to Jonathan and Saul (2 Samuel 1:25).

Verse 42

looked = looked about. But Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "cried out". Compare Psalms 18:41.

Verse 44

strivings = contentions.

heathen = Gentile nations.

Verse 45

Strangers = foreigners.

shall submit themselves, or give a feigned and unwilling obedience.

Verse 46

shall be afraid out of their close places = shall come forth trembling from their hiding-places.

Verse 48

People = Peoples.

Verse 49

violent man: i.e. Saul.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

Verse 51

tower. Figure of speech Prosopopceia.App-6.