Psalms 18 · Verse 34

Psalms 18:34

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Psalms 18:34, King James Version

Psalms 18:34 in other translations

BSBHe trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
WEBHe teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
ASVHe teacheth my hands to war; So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.
YLTTeaching my hands for battle, And a bow of brass was brought down by my arms.
DARBYWho teacheth my hands to war, and mine arms bend a bow of brass;
BBEHe makes my hands expert in war, so that a bow of brass is bent by my arms.
WebsterHe teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.

What does Psalms 18:34 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:33-36

33-36. God's help farther described. He gives swiftness to pursue or elude his enemies (Ha 3:19), strength, protection, and a firm footing.

Read the full comment on Psalms 18:33-36 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 34 He teacheth my hands to war - The success which I have had in my military exercises I owe to the Divine help. How few of the conquerors of mankind can say so! And how few among those who call themselves Christian warriors dare to say so! War is as contrary to the spirit of Christianity as murder. Nothing can justify Christian nations in shedding each other's blood! All men should live in peace; all men might live in peace; and the nation that is first to break it is under a heavy curse. A bow of steel is broken by mine arms - All the versions render this: "Thou hast made my arm like a brazen bow." A bow of steel is out of the question. In the days of David it is not likely that the method of making steel was known. The method of making brass out of copper was known at a very early period of the world; and the ancients had the art of hardening it, so as to work it into the most efficient swords. From his own account David was swift, courageous, and strong.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 18:29-50

When we praise for one mercy, we must observe the many more, with which we have been compassed all our days. Many things had contributed to David's advancement, and he owns the hand of God in them all, to teach us to do likewise. In verse #(32), and the following verses, are the gifts of God to the spiritual warrior, whereby he is prepared for the contest, after the example of his victorious Leader. Learn that we…

Read the full comment on Psalms 18:29-50 →

Psalms 18:34 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.

מְלַמֵּ֣דme.la.Med[he has] trainedH3925
יָ֭דַיYa.daihands myH3027
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑הla.mil.cha.Mahfor <the> battleH4421
וְֽנִחֲתָ֥הve.ni.cha.Tahand it will stretchH5181
קֶֽשֶׁת\־ke.shet-a bow ofH7198
נְ֝חוּשָׁ֗הne.chu.ShahbronzeH5154
זְרוֹעֹתָֽי\׃ze.ro.'o.Taiarms myH2220

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 18:34

  • Psalms 144:1

    A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

  • Psalms 46:9

    He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

  • Isaiah 45:1

    Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

  • Isaiah 28:6

    And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

  • 2 Samuel 22:36

    Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

  • Jeremiah 49:35

    Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

  • Hosea 1:5

    And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
teacheth.
144:1; 2Sa 22:36; Isa 28:6; 45:1
so that.
46:9; Jer 49:35; Ho 1:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 18:33

    He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

  • Psalms 18:34

    He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

  • Psalms 18:35

    Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Read all of Psalms 18

Psalms 18:34 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Quien enseña mis manos para la batalla, y será quebrado con mis brazos el arco de acero.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Qui rend mes pieds pareils à ceux des biches, et me fait tenir debout sur mes lieux élevés;
German
Elberfelder 1871		der meine Hände den Streit lehrt, und meine Arme spannen den ehernen Bogen!