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.