Psalms 18:28-45

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Here follows the fourth section of the psalm. The aid which God had given the Psalmist against foreign enemies, after he had been established on the throne, and which God would hereafter also give. That the view of God's grace to David is not restricted to the past, but extends to the future, and to his posterity to all generations, is proved by Psalms 18:50, "He showeth mercy to His anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore." How deep was the impression that God's promise respecting the establishment of David's seed in the kingdom forever, had made on David's mind, is seen in 2 Samuel 7:9; 2 Samuel 7:12; 2 Samuel 7:18; 2 Samuel 7:25; 2 Samuel 7:29; 2 Samuel 23:5. Thus the psalm finds its full realization only in Christ. David above his enemies, once so haughty.

Verse 43. Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the pagan. 'The people's strivings' are the intestine troubles caused by Absalom in Israel (cf. Psalms 35:1). His deliverance from the strivings of domestic foes was the preparation for the headships given him by conquest over the pagan. This fact is marked in 2 Samuel 22:44, "Thou hast kept me to be head of the pagan."

A people whom I have not known shall serve me. Even distant peoples, with whom David had been brought into no close connection, voluntarily submitted to him (cf. 2 Samuel 8:9). But the language is framed so as mainly to point beyond David to his Antitype, Messiah, in whom alone the prophecy has its exhaustive fulfillment (Psalms 22:30; Isaiah 55:3).

Verse 44. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me. Hengstenberg says that in the Hebrew Niphal the only true signification is, 'Who, through the hearing of the ear, are heard to me' - i:e., are heard of by me. But the Chaldaic, Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic support the English version. At the mere report of my victorious prowess (as opposed to seeing, Job 42:5), without waiting for my approach in person, they hearken, in obedient submission.

The strangers shall submit themselves unto me - Hebrew, 'the sons of the stranger feign to me;' i:e., fawn upon me, pretending a goodwill and submission which they do not feel at heart. [So the Hebrew, kicheesh, means (cf. Psalms 66:3, margin, 'yield feigned obedience;' and Deuteronomy 33:29; also Psalms 81:15)].

Verse 45 The strangers shall ... be afraid out of their close places. х chaarag (H2727) combines the notions of trembling with fear and moving out.] So Micah 7:17.