Verse 1

Title. David. Like all Psalms of David, it finds its fulfilment in the true David. See the Structure of this book (p. 721). Compare Psalms 18:4, Psalms 18:5 with Psalms 17:9. It is placed, as first written, in 2Sa 22; but it is edited and placed here to find its true relation to other Psalms. Why should not David have the right claimed by all other writers? to say nothing of the Holy Spirit"s right to do as He pleases and wills. It was edited for its place here, when it was handed over "to the chief Musician". See the subscription, and App-64.

the servant. Compare Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 52:13.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

song. Hebrew. shirah. See App-65.

in the day. Compare 2Sa 22, and App-18.

delivered, &c. Compare Luke 1:74.

hand = paw.

I will love Thee = Fervently do I love Thee. Hebrew. raham, to yearn over. This verse was added by David when the Psalm was handed over to the chief Musician (subscription, and App-64) for use in public worship.

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

strength. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, for the source of all strength. Hebrew. hazak, strength (for holding fast); not the same word as verses: Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 2:32, Psalms 2:39.

Verse 2

rock = fortress. Hebrew. sela". See notes on Deuteronomy 32:13, and Exodus 17:6. Note the Figures of speech Anthropopatheia and Exergasia. App-6.

fortress = mountain stronghold. Hebrew. mezad.

My GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

strength = rock (in original situation): hence, refuge. Hebrew. zur. See Deuteronomy 32:13; not same as verses: Psalms 18:17, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 18:39.

trust = flee for refuge. See App-69.

buckler = shield. Hebrew. magen, as in Psalms 18:30 and Psalms 5:12.

the horn, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:69.

Verse 3

worthy to be praised. Figure of speech Antimereia. App-6, Pass. Part, put for Adjective. Hebrew the praised One.

So shall I, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:71.

saved = delivered (in the widest sense). Hebrew. yasha".

Verse 4

sorrows = meshes, or snares (Hebrew. hebel). Not bodily pains.

ungodly men = Belial.

Verse 5

hell = the grave. Hebrew Sheol. App-35.

snares. Hebrew. yakash = noose, or snare.

prevented = were beforehand with, or confronted.

Verse 6

temple = palace. Put for heaven itself.

cried . . . ears. See note on Psalms 18:41.

Verse 7

shook . . . trembled . . . shaken. Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew vattig"ash, vattir"ash. Eng. = "shaked . . . quaked and shaked", or "rocked and reeled".

hills = mountains.

Verse 8

out of = into.

nostrils . . . mouth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

Verse 10

cherub. See App-41.

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Verse 11

darkness . . . dark. Hebrew. hashak. See notes on Job 3:6.

Verse 13

in. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "from" (1 Samuel 22:14).

HIGHEST. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4.

Verse 15

channels. Hebrew. "aphikim. See note on 2 Samuel 22:16.

world. Hebrew. tebel = the habitable world. Greek. oikoumene.

blast. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16.

breath. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Verse 16

many waters. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for troubles.

Verse 17

strong = strong (for might). Hebrew. "azaz. Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 1:39.

strong = strong (for activity). Hebrew. "amaz. Not same word as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:32, Psalms 1:39.

Verse 19

because, &c. This is the one ground of blessing. See note on Numbers 14:8, and 2 Samuel 15:25, 2 Samuel 15:26.

Verse 23

before = with.

mine iniquity. Some codices read "the wicked". Hebrew "avah. App-44.

Verse 25

merciful = gracious.

With. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "And with".

man = strong man. Hebrew. geber.

Verse 26

the forward = the perverse. Hebrew. "ikesh.

forward = a wrestler, or contender.

Verse 28

candle = lamp. Used to-day, in the East, more for comfort than light.

Verse 29

run = broken through.

Verse 30

GOD. Hebrew = the El. App-4.

word = sayings, as in Psalms 12:6 (feminine plural); Psalms 19:14 (masculine plural) (not Psalms 18:4); Psalms 119:11 (see note there), &c.

tried = refined. Compare Psalms 12:6.

trust in = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.

Verse 31

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4.

rock. Hebrew. zur. See notes on Exodus 17:6; Exodus 32:13.

save = except.

Verse 32

strength = might (for valour). Hebrew. hil. Not the same as verses: Psalms 18:1, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 1:17.

Verse 33

my. Ginsburg thinks this should be omitted.

Verse 34

broken = bent.

Verse 35

gentleness = condescension.

Verse 37-38

pursued . . . overtaken . . . consumed . . . wounded . . . fallen. Figure of speech Anabasis. App-6. The tenses may be future, and prophetic.

Verse 41

cried . . . save. Figure of speech Paronomasia . App-6. May be represented in Eng. "they cried with fear, but none gave ear. "

Verse 42

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

cast them out: or scatter them. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "crush". Compare 2 Samuel 22:43.

Verse 43

heathen = nations, or Gentile peoples.

Verse 44

strangers = sons of the foreigner.

submit = come cringing.

Verse 45

be afraid = come trembling.

Verse 48

man. Hebrew "ish. App-14.

Verse 49

Therefore, &c. Quoted in Romans 15:9.

Verse 50

Anointed = Messiah. Looking beyond David, to David"s Son and David"s Lord.