Psalms 18
18
# 18 This magnificent poem is so important to the Holy Spirit that it appears twice in the Bible. You will also find it in 2 Sam. 22. I Love You, Lord
A song # 18 There are fifty psalms that are described as “a song” in the inscription, and each one is a power song of victory and breakthrough. to the Pure and Shining One by King David, his servant, composed when the Lord rescued David from all his many enemies, including from the brutality of Saul. # 18 Or “the paw of Saul.” Saul was like a beast that chased David until his death. He said:
1I love you, Yahweh, and I’m bonded to you, # 18:1 David didn’t employ the common Hebrew word for “love,” ‘ahav, but instead used the Hebrew word for “pity” or “mercy.” How could David have mercy for God? The word he used, racham, is the word for a mother who loves and pities her child so much it manifests with a deep love and emotional bond. This concept, although difficult to convey in English, carries the thought of embrace and touch. It could actually be translated “Lord, I want to hug you.” Haven’t you ever felt like that?
my strength!
2Yahweh, you’re the bedrock beneath my feet,
my faith-fortress, my wonderful deliverer,
my God, my rock of rescue where none can reach me.
You’re the shield around me,
the mighty power # 18:2 Or “horn” (i.e., horn of my salvation), which comes from a root word meaning “ray of brightness.” that saves me,
and my high place.
3All I need to do is to call on you,
Yahweh, the praiseworthy God.
When I do, I’m safe and sound in you—
delivered from my foes!
4-5For when the cords of death wrapped around me
and torrents of destruction overwhelmed me, # 18:4–5 Or “waves of Sheol [death] engulfed me.” See 2 Sam. 22:5.
taking me to death’s door,
6in my distress I cried out to you, the delivering God,
and from your temple-throne you heard my troubled cry,
and my sobs went right into your heart. # 18:6 This scene is not only a poetic portrayal of how God answered David’s prayer, but also a picture of the sufferings of a greater Son of David, Jesus, who hung on the cross with cries of agony. God heard him and shook the planet as thick clouds covered the sun.
7The earth itself shivered and shook.
It reeled and rocked before him.
As the mountains trembled, they melted away,
for his anger was kindled on my behalf!
8Fierce flames leapt from his mouth, # 18:8 Or “nostrils.”
erupting with blazing, burning coals as smoke
and fire encircled him.
9-10He stretched heaven’s curtain open and came to my defense.
Swiftly he rode to earth as the stormy sky was lowered.
He rode a chariot of thunderclouds amidst thick darkness;
his steed was a cherub,
soaring on outstretched wings of Spirit-Wind.
11Wrapped in the thick-cloud darkness,
his thunder-tabernacle surrounded him.
He hid himself in mystery-darkness;
the dense rain clouds were his garments.
12Suddenly the brilliance of his presence broke through
with lightning bolts and hail—
a tempest dropping coals of fire.
13The Lord thundered; the great God above every god
spoke with his thunder-voice from the sky.
The Most High uttered his voice!
14He released his lightning-arrows, and routed my foes.
See how they ran and scattered in fear!
15Then with his mighty roar he laid bare the foundations of the earth,
uncovering the secret source of the sea.
The hidden depths of land and sea were exposed
by the blast of his hot breath.
16He rescued me from the mighty waters
and drew me to himself!
17Even though I was helpless in the hands
of my hateful, strong enemy, # 18:17 Death is our strong enemy. Only through Christ are we delivered from its grip.
you were good to deliver me.
18When I was at my weakest, # 18:18 Or “In the day of my calamity.” my enemies attacked—
but the Lord held on to me.
19His love broke open the way,
and he brought me into a beautiful, broad place. # 18:19 This could be the throne room of heaven.
He rescued me—because his delight is in me! # 18:19 Here in verses 16–19 you can see the glorious resurrection of Christ as the Father reached down and kissed the Son with life and love. Read it again and think of Christ in the tomb being raised by the Father.
20He rewarded me for doing what’s right and staying pure.
21I will follow his commands and
I’ll not sin by ceasing to follow him, no matter what.
22For I’ve kept my eyes focused on his righteous words,
and I’ve obeyed everything that he’s told me to do.
23I’ve been blameless before him and followed all his ways,
keeping my heart pure.
24And so Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
because I kept my heart clean before his eyes.
25Good people will taste your goodness.
And to those who are loyal to you,
you love to prove that you are loyal and true.
26And for those who are purified, they find you always pure.
But you’ll outwit the crooked and cunning with your craftiness.
27To the humble you bring heaven’s deliverance,
but the proud and haughty you disregard.
28God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me!
You are the revelation-light in my darkness,
and in your brightness I can see the path ahead.
29With you as my strength I can crush an enemy horde,
advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me. # 18:29 Or “by my God I can jump over a wall.”
30Yahweh, what a perfect God you are!
All Yahweh’s promises have proven true.
What a secure shelter for all those
who turn to hide themselves in you,
the wraparound God. # 18:30 The Hebrew word used here (often translated “shield”) means “to wrap around in protection.” God himself is our shield of grace.
31Could there be any other god like Yahweh?
For there is not a more secure foundation # 18:31 Or “rocky cliff.” than you.
32God, you have wrapped me in power
and made my way perfect.
33Through you I ascend to the highest peaks
to stand strong and secure in you. # 18:33 Or “You make my legs like a deer to stand firm on the heights.”
34You’ve trained me with the weapons of warfare-worship;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35You empower me for victory with your wraparound presence.
Your power within makes me strong to subdue.
By stooping down in gentleness,
you made me great!
36You’ve set me free, and now I’m standing complete,
ready to fight some more!
37I caught up with my enemies and conquered them
and didn’t turn back until the war was won!
38I smashed them to pieces and
I finished them once and for all; they’re as good as dead.
39You’ve placed your armor upon me
and made my enemies bow low at my feet.
40You’ve made them all turn tail and run,
for through you I’ve destroyed them all!
41They shouted for help, but no one dared to rescue them.
They cried out to Yahweh, but he refused to answer them.
42So I pulverized them to powder and cast them to the wind.
I swept them away like dirt on the floor.
43You gave me victory on every side,
for you make me a leader of nations.
Even those I’ve never heard of come and bow at my feet.
44As soon as they heard of me they submitted to me.
Even the rebel foreigners obey my every word.
45Their rebellion fades away as they come near;
trembling in their strongholds,
they come crawling out of their hideouts,
cringing in fear before me.
46Yahweh lives!
Praise is lifted high to the unshakable God!
Towering over all, my Savior-God is worthy to be praised!
47Look how he pays back harm to all who harm me,
subduing all who come against me.
48He rescues me from my enemies;
he lifts me up high and keeps me out of reach,
far from the grasp of my violent foe.
49So I thank you, Yahweh, with my praises!
I will sing my song to the highest God,
so all among the nations will hear me. # 18:49 Paul quoted this verse as one of four prophecies to show that Christ came for all people, not just the Jews. See Rom. 15:9.
50You have given me, your king, great victories.
You’ve always been tender and kind to me, your anointed one,
your loving servant, David, and to all my descendants!
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Psalms 18: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 18
18
To the Heavenly Worship Leader, [A Psalm (sacred song about or to God)] of David [Beloved], the servant of the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], who spoke unto the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] the words of this song in the day [that] the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Sha’ul [Desired]: And he said,
1I will love youi, O Yehovah Khiz’ki [Messiah Pre-Incarnate My Strength].
2Yehovah Sal’i [Messiah Pre-Incarnate {is} My Rock], And my fortress, and my deliverer; El Tzuri [The Living Word My Rock], my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler (round shielf held with a grip), and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.
3I will call upon the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6In my distress I called upon the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], and cried unto my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.
7Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was exceedingly angry.
8There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
9He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet.
10And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
11He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies.
12At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.
13The Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire.
14Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and scattered (defeated in battle) them.
15Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at youri rebuke (reprimand; strongly warn; restrain), O Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], at the blast of the breath of youri nostrils.
16He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
17He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
18They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] was my stay.
19He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
20The Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
21For I have kept the ways of the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], and have not wickedly departed from my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].
22For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
23I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
24Therefore has the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25With the merciful youi will show yourself merciful; with an upright man youi will show yourself upright;
26With the pure youi will show yourself pure; and with the perverse (twisted) [habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition] youi will show yourself perverse (twisted) [habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition].
27For youi will save the afflicted people; but will bring down high looks.
28For youi will light my candle: the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] will enlighten my darkness.
29For by youi I have run through a troop; and by my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] have I leaped over a wall.
30 [As for] God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], his way [is] perfect: the word of the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] is tried: he [is] a buckler (round shielf held with a grip) to all those that trust in him.
31For who [is] God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] save the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate]? or who [is] a Rock save our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]?
32 [It is] God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] that girds me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
33He makes my feet like hinds’ [feet], and sets me upon my high places.
34He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
35youi have also given me the shield of youri salvation: and youri right hand has held me up, and youri gentleness has made me great.
36youi have enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
37I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
39For youi have girded me with strength unto the battle: youi have subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40youi have also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
41They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], but he answered them not.
42Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
43youi have delivered me from the strivings of the people; [and] youi have made me the head of the heathen: a people [whom] I have not known shall serve me.
44As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
45The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
46The Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate] lives; and Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) [be] my Rock; and let the God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] of my salvation be exalted.
47 [It is] God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] that avenges me, and subdues the people under me.
48He delivers me from mine enemies: yea, youi lift me up above those that rise up against me: youi have delivered me from the violent man.
49Therefore will I give thanks unto youi, O Lord-Yehōvah [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], among the heathen, and sing praises unto youri name.
50Great deliverance gives he to his king; and shows mercy to his anointed, to David [Beloved], and to his seed forevermore.
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