PSALM 18 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm, with some few and small variations, is written 2SA 22. It was composed by David towards the end of his reign and life upon the occasion here mentioned. THE SERVANT OF THE LORD; who esteemeth it a greater honour to be thy servant, than to be king of Israel, and who d... [ Continue Reading ]
MY ROCK; to which I flee for refuge, as the Israelites did to their rocks. See JUDGES 6:2 1 SAMUEL 13:6. THE HORN; by which I have both defended myself, and subdued mine enemies. It is a metaphor from those beasts whose strength lies in their horns. The _horn_ is oft put for _power_, as PSALMS 92:10... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, _I did call and was saved_. For the future tense is commonly used for that which is past. And this seems best to agree with the whole context, which is to praise God for mercies already received.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SORROWS OF DEATH, i.e. dangerous and deadly troubles. Or, _the bands or cords of death_, which had almost seized me, and was putting its bands upon me. Compare PSALMS 73:4. THE FLOODS OF UNGODLY MEN; their great multitudes, and strength, and violent assaults, breaking in upon me like a flood.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF HELL; or, _of the grave_, which brought me to the brink of the grave. PREVENTED ME; had almost taken hold of me, ere I was aware of my danger.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF HIS TEMPLE; either, 1. Out of his sanctuary; whence he promised to hear and answer the prayers of his people, which are either made there or directed thither. Or, 2. Out of his heavenly habitation, which is oft called his temple: SEE POOLE ON "PSALMS 11:4".... [ Continue Reading ]
Then God appeared on my behalf in a miraculous and glorious manner, and with the great terror and confusion of all mine enemies, which is here compared to an earthquake. The earthquake was so deep and violent, that it overthrew whole mountains by the roots; whereby he designs his lofty and potent en... [ Continue Reading ]
SMOKE OUT OF HIS NOSTRILS; as is usual in persons transported with great anger and rage. He manifestd his great displeasure against my adversaries. COALS WERE KINDLED BY IT; which notes the fervency, constancy, and efficacy of his anger.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BOWED THE HEAVENS, by producing thick and dark clouds, by which the heavens seem to come down to the earth. CAME DOWN; not by change of place, but by the manifestation of his presence and power on my behalf.... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON A CHERUB; or, _upon the cherubims_, by an enallage of number; that is, upon the angels, who are so called, GENESIS 3:24 HEBREWS 9:5, who are also called God's _chariots_, PSALMS 68:17, upon which he is said to sit and ride; all which is not to be understood grossly, but only to note God's using... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SECRET PLACE; or, _his hiding-place_; i.e. he covered himself with dark clouds, from hence he secretly shot at his enemies, as it follows. DARK WATERS, i.e. watery vapours and thick clouds, as the next words expound these.... [ Continue Reading ]
At his glorious and powerful appearance HIS THICK CLOUDS PASSED AWAY, i.e. vanished, (as this word is oft taken, as PSALMS 90:5,6 ISA 29:5 HABAKKUK 3:10) being dissolved into showers of hail-stones, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD ALSO THUNDERED, to wit, against my adversaries. _Thunder_ is a sign of God's anger, 1 SAMUEL 2:10, 1 SAMUEL 7:10. HIS VOICE, i.e. thunder, oft so called. The same thing expressed in other words.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS ARROWS, to wit, _lightnings_, as it is explained in the next clause. SCATTERED THEM, to wit, mine enemies; which is sufficiently understood from PSALMS 18:3,17, and from the whole context.... [ Continue Reading ]
By mighty and terrible earthquakes, which overturned the earth, and made its lower parts uppermost and visible.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SENT ANGELS, or assistance otherwise.... [ Continue Reading ]
From them that wanted neither malice nor power.... [ Continue Reading ]
They were too cunning for me, and had almost surprised me; but they could not prevent thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BROUGHT ME FORTH out of my straits and difficulties, out of the little caves in which I was shut up and imprisoned. INTO A LARGE PLACE; into a state of freedom, and plenty, and comfort. BECAUSE HE DELIGHTED IN ME, or loved me, or had a good will to me, as this phrase commonly signifies; whereby h... [ Continue Reading ]
As I had a just cause, and made it my care and business to deal righteously with God, and with Saul, and all others; so God (who hath engaged himself by his promise to suceour and reward them that are such) was graciously pleased to own me, and to plead my cause against my unrighteous enemies. And b... [ Continue Reading ]
I have observed and obeyed his precepts, and made mine own will, and passions, and interest stoop to them. And I have not knowingly and wilfully forsaken God, and broken his laws, as wicked men do; which he adds by way of correction and explication, lest the former or following clauses should be int... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE ME, i.e. before the eyes of my mind; I diligently studied and considered them, that I might govern my whole life by them. FROM ME, i.e. out of my view, as ungodly men do; who like not to retain God nor his word in their hearts or thoughts.... [ Continue Reading ]
I did not pretend religion before men for my own ends, but did approve my heart and ways to the all-seeing God. AND I KEPT MYSELF FROM MINE INIQUITY, i e. from that sin which I was most inclined or tempted to; either, 1. From my hereditary and natural corruption, so far that it should not have domi... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
UPRIGHT, or _sincere_, to wit, in performing what thou hast promised to such persons, this being a great part or act of sincerity, when one's deeds and words, or professions, agree together; as, on the contrary, for those that deal hypocritically and wickedly with thee, thou wilt make them to know t... [ Continue Reading ]
PURE; free from the least mixture or appearance of unrighteousness, or unfaithfulness, or unkindness; or simply and sincerely, such as thou usest and hast promised to be to them that are such; for PURITY is oft put for _sincerity_. FROWARD, or _perverse_, i.e. thou wilt cross him, and walk contrary... [ Continue Reading ]
THE AFFLICTED PEOPLE; such as I and my poor followers were. HIGH LOOKS, i.e. proud persons, who discover the pride of their hearts by their haughty looks and carriages, PSALMS 101:5 PROVERBS 6:17, such as mine enemies were.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, _thou dost light_, or _hast lighted, my candle_, i.e. given me safety, and comfort, and prosperity, and glory, and posterity also; all which are oft signified by a _candle_ or a _light_, as ESTHER 8:16 JOB 21:17, JOB 29:3 PSALMS 97:11, PSALMS 132:17, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THEE I have broken through the armed troops of mine enemies. I have sealed the walls of their strongest cities and castles, and so taken them.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS WAY IS PERFECT; his counsel and providence, though it may sometimes be dark and hard to be understood, yet is always wise and just, and every way perfect or unbeareable. THE WORD OF THE LORD IS TRIED; the truth of God's promises is certain, and approved by innuerable experiences, and mine among... [ Continue Reading ]
It must needs be as I have said, because our Lord is the only God, and therefore there is none, neither God nor creature, that can hinder him from accomplishing his own word and work, or from defending those that trust him: he is unchangeable and invincible. Or this is an amplification, As God is wh... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT GIRDETH ME WITH STRENGTH; that gives me strength both of mind and body for battle. It is a metaphor taken either from a military girdle, or from a common girdle, wherewith their loose garments were girt about them, whereby they were rendered fitter for any action. PERFECT, i.e. perfectly plain... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE HINDS FEET, i.e. most swift and nimble. As he made me wise in counsel and contrivance, (which he elsewhere saith,) so he made me speedy and expeditious in the execution; which are the two great excellencies of a captain. He gave me great agility, either to flee and escape from mine enemies, whe... [ Continue Reading ]
To him I owe all that military skill, or strength, or cou rage which I have. My strength is sufficient, not only to bend A BOW OF STEEL, but to break it.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHIELD OF THY SALVATION; thy safeguard and protection, which hath been to me like a shield to defend me. HOLDEN ME UP; kept me from falling into those snares and mischiefs which mine enemies designed, and I feared. THY GENTLENESS, or MEEKNESS, as this word signifies, NUMBERS 12:3 PSALMS 10:17, P... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST ENLARGED MY STEPS; which before were straitened and confined to a little compass, and entangled with the narrowness and difficulty of the way. _Thou hast set my feet in a large room_, PSALMS 31:8, PSALMS 118:5, i.e. thou hast brought me out of all my straits and difficulties into a state o... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. Cast down to the ground, so as I may tread upon their necks, after the manner of conquerors, DEUTERONOMY 33:29 JOSHUA 10:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
He repeats what he had said PSALMS 18:32, lest he should seem to arrogate to himself his great achievements and victories mentioned PSALMS 18:37,38, and that he might give God the whole praise and glory of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Either, 1. That I might smite or behead them. Or, 2. That I might put my yoke upon their necks, or bring them into subjection. Or rather thus, _Thou hast made them turn their backs to me_, i.e. flee away from me; for so this very phrase is used and rendered, EXODUS 23:27 JOSHUA 7:8,12, and elsewhe... [ Continue Reading ]
He speaks of his Israelitish enemies, who in their distresses prayed to God for help against him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, _rid them away_, as dirt is usually swept or carried out of houses or streets. Or, _tread them down_, or _bruise them_, as men do dirt when they walk in the streets.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE STRIVINGS OF THE PEOPLE; from contentions, and seditions, and tumults of my own people under Saul, and Ish-bosheth, and Absalom. THE HEAD OF THE HEATHEN; of the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Syrians, and others. WHOM I HAVE NOT KNOWN; whom I had no acquaintance with, nor relation to, no, n... [ Continue Reading ]
AS SOON AS THEY HEAR OF ME; either, 1. At the fame of my name and victorious arms. Or, 2. At the first tidings of my coming towards them. Or rather, 3. As soon as they understand my will and pleasure, they shall instantly comply with it. SUBMIT THEMSELVES UNTO ME, Heb. _shall lie unto me_, i.e. s... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL FADE AWAY, i.e. shall wither and decay in their hopes and strength. BE AFRAID, i.e. shall come trembling; one verb being put for two, as PSALMS 22:21, _thou hast heard me_, i.e. having delivered me; and PSALMS 42:1, _panteth_, i.e. panting hasteneth; and in many other places. OUT OF THEIR CLOS... [ Continue Reading ]
He and he only is the true living God, and he hath manifested himself to be for my comfort, and for the confusion of mine enemies, when other gods are dead and impotent idols. Or, _Let the Lord live_. So it is a joyful and thankful acclamation, spoken after the manner of earthly princes. BLESSED BE... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT AVENGETH ME; that executed vengeance both by me against malicious enemies, and for me against Saul, of whom I would not avenge myself.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOVE THOSE THAT RISE UP AGAINST ME; above their malice and power. FROM THE VIOLENT MAN; from Saul, whom for honour's sake he forbears to mention.... [ Continue Reading ]
AMONG THE HEATHEN; or, among the Gentiles or nations; i.e. either, 1. In the great congregations, consisting df the Israelites of all tribes; of whom this very word is used, JOSHUA 3:17, JOSHUA 4:1 EZEKIEL 2:3, and elsewhere, as hath been noted before. Or, 2. In the presence of those Gentiles, who... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIS KING; to the king whom God himself chose, and anointed, or constituted. TO HIS SEED; to all his posterity, and especially to the Messias, who is called David's Seed, ACTS 13:23 ROMANS 1:3; and his _Son_, PSALMS 89:27, PSALMS 90:1, compared with MATTHEW 22:42; and _the Seed_ by way of eminency... [ Continue Reading ]