Psalms 18:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
Psalms 18:1 in other translations
| BSB | For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength. |
|---|---|
| WEB | For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said, I love you, LORD, my strength. |
| ASV | For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of Jehovah, who spake unto Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said, I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength. |
| YLT | To the Overseer. --By a servant of Jehovah, by David, who hath spoken to Jehovah the words of this song in the day Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and he saith: --I love Thee, O Jehovah, my strength. |
| DARBY | To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David, the servant of Jehovah, who spoke to Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hand of Saul. And he said, I will love thee, O Jehovah, my strength. |
| BBE | I will give you my love, O Lord, my strength. |
| Webster | To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. |
What does Psalms 18:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Psa 18:1-50. "The servant of the Lord," which in the Hebrew precedes "David," is a significant part of the title (and not a mere epithet of David), denoting the inspired character of the song, as the production of one entrusted with the execution of God's will. He was not favored by God because he served Him, but served Him because selected and appointed by God in His sovereign mercy. After a general expression of praise and confidence in God for the future, David gives a sublimely poetical description of God's deliverance, which he characterizes as an illustration of God's justice to the innocent and His righteous government. His own prowess and success are celebrated as the results of divine aid, and, confident of its continuance, he closes in terms of triumphant praise. 2Sa 22:1-51 is a copy of this Psalm, with a few unimportant variations recorded there as a part of the history, and repeated here as part of a collection designed for permanent use.
1. I will love thee--with most tender affection.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
David's address of thanks to Jehovah, Psa 18:1-3. A relation of sufferings undergone, and prayers made for assistance, Psa 18:4-6. A magnificent description of Divine interposition in behalf of the sufferer, Psa 18:7-15; and of the deliverance wrought for him, Psa 18:16-19. That this deliverance was in consideration of his righteousness, Psa 18:20-24; and according to the tenor of God's equitable proceedings, Psa 18:25-28. To Jehovah is ascribed the glory of the victory, Psa 18:29-36; which ts represented as complete by the destruction of all his opponents, Psa 18:37-42. On these events the heathen submit, Psa 18:43-45. And for all these things God is glorified, Psa 18:46-50. The title: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." Except the first clause, this title is taken from 2Sam 22:1. The reader is requested to turn to the notes on 2Sam 22:1, for some curious information on this Psalm, particularly what is extracted from Dr. Kennicott. This learned writer supposes the whole to be a song of the Messiah, and divides it into five parts, which he thus introduces: - "The Messiah's sublime thanksgivings, composed by David when his wars were at an end, towards the conclusion of his life. And in this sacred song the goodness of God is celebrated, 1. For Messiah's resurrection from the dead, with the wonders attending that awful event, and soon following it. 2. For the punishment inflicted on the Jews; particularly by the destruction of Jerusalem. And, 3. For the obedience of the Gentile nations. See Rom 15:9; Heb 2:13; and Mat 28:2-4; with Mat 24:7, Mat 24:29." And that the title now prefixed to this hymn here and in 2Sam 22:1, describes only the time of its composition, seems evident; for who can ascribe to David himself as the subject, 2Sam 22:5, 2Sam 22:6, 2Sam 22:8-17, 2Sam 22:21-26, 2Sam 22:30, 2Sam 22:42, 2Sam 22:44, etc.? In Dr. Kennicott's remarks there is a new translation of the whole Psalm, p. 178, etc. The strong current of commentators and critics apply this Psalm to Christ; and to oppose a whole host of both ancients and moderns would argue great self-confidence. In the main I am of the same mind; and on this principle chiefly I shall proceed to its illustration; still however considering that there are many things in it which concern David, and him only. Drs. Chandler and Delaney have been very successful in their illustration of various passages in it; all the best critics have brought their strongest powers to bear on it; and most of the commentators have labored it with great success; and Bishop Horne has applied the whole of it to Christ. My old Psalter speaks highly in its praise: "This Psalme contenes the sacrement of al chosyn men, the qwilk doand the law of God thurgh the seven fald grace of the Haly Gast fra al temptaciouns, and the pouste of dede and of the devel lesid: this sang thai syng til God; and thankes him and says, I sal luf the Lord, noght a day or twa, bot ever mare: my strength, thurgh quam I am stalworth in thoght." Verse 1 I will love thee - Love always subsists on motive and reason. The verb רחם racham signifies to love with all the tender feelinys of nature. "From my inmost bowels will I love thee, O Lord!" Why should he love Jehovah? Not merely because he was infinitely great and good, possessed of all possible perfections, but because he was good to him: and he here enumerates some of the many blessings he received from him. My strength - 1. Thou who hast given me power over my adversaries, and hast enabled me to avoid evil and do good.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 18:1-19
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Psalms 18:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Psalms 18:1
- 2 Samuel 22:1-51
And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. …
- Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
- 1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.
- Isaiah 12:1-6
And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. …
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
- Psalms 116:1-6
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. …
- Psalms 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
- Psalms 28:7-8
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
- Psalms 118:14
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
- Psalms 144:1-2
A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
- 1 Samuel 2:1-10
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. …
- Psalms 116:16
O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
A.M. 2986. B.C. 1018. (Title.) the servant.
36:1; *title
116:16; 2Sa 22:1-51; Ac 13:36; Heb 3:5
in the day.
34:19; Ex 15:1-21; Jud 5:1-31; 1Sa 2:1-10; Isa 12:1-6
I will.
116:1-6; 144:1,2; 1Jo 4:19
my.
32; 28:7,8; 118:14; Isa 12:2; Php 4:13; Col 1:11
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Psalms 18:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
- Psalms 18:2
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalms 18:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Al Músico principal: Salmo de David, siervo de Jehová, el cual profirió á Jehová las palabras de este cántico el día que le libró Jehová de mano de todos sus enemigos, y de mano de Saúl. Entonces dijo: AMARTE he, oh Jehová, fortaleza mía. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | *Au chef de musique. Du serviteur de l’ Éternel, de David, qui adressa à l’ Éternel les paroles de ce cantique, le jour où l’ Éternel l’eut délivré de la main de tous ses ennemis, et de la main de Saül. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ich liebe dich, Jehova, meine Stärke! |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | In finem. Psalmus David. |