Meaning of Psalm 18 KJV Bible commentary: download PDF

Meaning of Psalm 18 verse 1

This verse says, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.”

The author expresses his love for God because he recognizes that God is the source of his strength. These sentiments are echoed by Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:13, when he declares that it is Christ who gives him the strength to accomplish all things.

Meaning of Psalm 18 verse 2

This verse says, “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.”

The author points to God as his rock, implying that God is the foundation upon which he has established his life. This is in line with the teaching of Jesus in Luke 6:46-48, where he instructs his listeners to build on the rock in order to be safe from powerful storms.

The author also says that God is his fortress. This means that God is his hiding place that is secure from all manner of attacks.

The psalmist states that God is his deliverer. This means that God is the one who rescues him out of trouble and all manner of evil.

He says that God is his strength. Here, the author acknowledges that he is physically inadequate and only God can sustain him. Thus, the author can trust in God because he knows that He is able to see him through any situation.

He also says that God is his buckler. This means that God is his shield. This means that God acts as a barrier between him and the attacks directed at him. In effect, none of the attacks get to land on the author, ensuring his safety.

The author tells us God is the horn of his salvation. The word “horn” as used in the scriptures points to kingly authority (Revelation 17:12). Therefore, by stating that God is the horn of his salvation, the author implies that God is the authority, author, or source of his salvation. 

The author then talks of God being his high tower. This means that his God is highly exalted above everyone and everything. Thus, the author can depend on Him for help, protection, and comfort in the time of trouble.

Meaning of Psalm 18 verse 3

This verse says that “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.”

This means the author has made a decision of reaching out to God in prayer, fasting, giving sacrifice, and offering, because He deserves worship. Only God has the qualities that make Him deserve the praise and worship of men. These qualities include being able, awesome, faithful, just, and righteous, among many more. The author is sure that only by calling upon God is he guaranteed deliverance from all his enemies.

The prophet Jeremiah echoes the same sentiments in Jeremiah 33:3, where he instructs us to call on God, who will hear us and show us great things.

In Genesis 4:26, the Bible tells us that men began to call on the name of the LORD. This means that men started seeking the face of God in prayer and worship.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verses 4 and 5

This scripture says that “the sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me”.

In this scripture, the author talks of facing difficult and life-threatening situations. He opines that ungodly people threatened his very existence. This state of events instilled a lot of fear in him. He also talks of confronting traps meant to end his life.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 6

This scripture says that “in my distress I called upon the LORD and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even to his ears.”

The author tells us that when he became anxious and upset, he called on God to help him. God heard his prayer from heaven. The plea from the author on earth reached God, who was in his temple in heaven. This means that even if God is in heaven, He can still hear us when we pray to Him from earth.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 7

This scripture says that “then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.”

This scripture means that when God descended to the earth to help the psalmist, the mountains shook to the core.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 8

This scripture says that “there went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured; coals were kindled by it.”

This verse means that God descended to the earth with smoke and fire coming from his nostrils and mouth. This fire set coals ablaze. This shows the enormous power and might that God wields. The physical features of the world are as nothing in the presence of the Creator.

Scriptures tell us that a fire goes before God and consumes all His enemies (Psalm 97:3).

Hebrews 12:29 teaches us that God is a consuming fire.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 9

This scripture says that “he bowed down the heavens also and came down, and darkness was under his feet.”

Like the previous one, this verse also shows the power of God when He chooses to manifest His presence on the earth. It also points to the existence of a cloud of darkness under His feet. All this points to the majesty of His awesome presence.

Meaning of Psalm 18 verse 10

This scripture says that “he rode upon a cherub and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.”

This verse shows us how God moves about. It points us to the presence of beings called the Cherubim. These are guardians of the throne of God. We also find them discussed in detail in the book of Ezekiel (1:4-28) and Revelation (4:6-8). They have four/six wings. They have four faces, that is, the face of a lion, a man, an ox, and an eagle. They also have eyes all over their body. They move with the throne of God, which has wheels covered with eyes. The throne moves wherever the Spirit directs them to move.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 11

This scripture says, “He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him was dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.”

Again, we get a description of what is present before the throne of God. God dwells in a secret place surrounded with dark waters and thick clouds. His pavilion is a beautiful building to behold given the precious stones used to design it. The book of Revelation 4:6 describes this space as ‘a sea of glass, like crystal.’ In addition, Revelation 15:2 describes it as a “sea of glass mingled with fire.’

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 12

This scripture says, “At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones, and coals of fire.”

This means that in the presence of God there is brightness beyond measure. It says that thick clouds are before Him, together with hail and coals of fire. Hail and fire, mingled with blood, rain from heaven to the earth after the first angel sounds his trumpet (Revelation 8:7). Revelation 11:19 tells of lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail in God’s temple. Psalm 97:4 says, ‘His lightnings light the world.’

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 13

This scripture says, “The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave His voice; hailstones and coals of fire.”

This verse reflects the power of God when He speaks. His voice is loud and terrifying, and no flesh can withstand it without His grace. When He descended upon Mount Sinai, there were ‘thunderings, flashes of lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and smoke. ‘Psalm 29 says, “The voice of the LORD thunders; His voice is powerful; His voice is full of majesty. His voice breaks the cedars; his voice divides the flames of fire; it shakes the wilderness; it makes the deer give birth. His voice strips the forests bare. ‘That is how awesome the voice of the LORD of heaven is.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 14

This scripture says, “He sent out his arrows and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings and discomfited them.”

This verse speaks of how God came to the rescue of the author. How He scattered the enemy by shooting arrows at them. In addition, the verses show how God’s lightnings totally defeated the enemy and destroyed them.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 15

This scripture says, “Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.”

It refers to the creation process through the hands of God of heaven. By God’s command, the channels of water were unveiled and the foundations of the world established.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 16

This scripture says, “He sent from above; he took me; he drew me out of many waters.”

In this verse, the author speaks of God saving him from the many challenges of life. The ‘many waters’ mentioned in this verse signify the many troubles facing the author.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 17

This scripture says, “He delivered me from my strong enemy and from them which hated me, for they were too strong for me.”

Here, the author speaks of God delivering his life from the many enemies that surround him. These enemies most of the time are stronger and powerful.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 18

This scripture says, “They prevented me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my stay.”

This means that the enemy confronted the author in his day of trouble, but God supported him.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 19

This scripture says, “He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.”

In this verse, the author speaks of how God brought him to a place of success because he had pleasure in him.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 20

This scripture says, “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.”

In this verse, the author speaks of being rewarded by God because of doing what is right. God rewards those who have clean hands. He speaks of God compensating him for the losses he has suffered in his life.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verses 21 and 22

This scripture says, “For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me, and I did not put away His statutes from me”.

In this verse, the author talks of faithfully walking before God by observing His statutes and keeping His commandments. He tells us that he has kept God’s ways and has not departed from the instruction of the law. God’s statutes are always before us, and He expects us to observe them at all times.

In Joshua 1:8, He instructs Joshua to ensure that the book of the law never departs from his mouth. God tells him that the only way to succeed is through constant meditation on the word and doing exactly as it says.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 23

This scripture says, “I was upright before him, and I kept myself from my iniquity.”

In this verse, the author speaks of walking uprightly before God. He tells of his striving to overcome his iniquity in order to please his maker. Scriptures teach us to flee sin that easily ensnares us and pursue righteousness. It also teaches that we should put to death our members, which are on earth, including fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, so that we can please God (Colossians 3:4).

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 24

This scripture says, “Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to the cleanness of my hands in His eyesight.”

The author says God has recompensed or restored what he had lost because of the cleanness of His hands. God values ‘clean hands,’ that is, hands that do not do wickedly. A person with clean hands has the privilege of ascending to God’s holy place and standing in His presence (Psalm 24:3-4). According to Proverbs 6:17, one of the seven things that God hates is ‘hands that shed innocent blood. ‘A person with such hands can never stand in the presence of God.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 26

This scripture says, “With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright; with the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the forward thou wilt show thyself froward.”

This verse teaches us that God is the one who decides whom to show mercy and who not to. God told Moses that He is the one who determines who will receive mercy and compassion from Him. Therefore, our works cannot qualify us to receive His mercy nor His compassion (Romans 9:15-16; 18).

This verse also teaches that God shows Himself to be pure to those with a pure heart. This means that if you choose the purity path, God is certainly going to manifest Himself to you in like manner. Scriptures teach that to be able to approach the presence of God, you must have a pure heart (Psalm 24:4).

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 27

This scripture says, “For thou wilt save the afflicted people but wilt bring down haughty looks.”

This verse implies that God is the savior of everyone who is going through pain and suffering. A haughty look refers to pride and arrogance. Therefore, the scripture teaches us that God abases or humbles individuals who are proud and arrogant.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 28

The scripture said, “For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.”

“Darkness” implies lack of information or knowledge about what is going on. It implies a state of ignorance. The Bible teaches us that God’s people perish due to ignorance. For this reason, God gives knowledge and wisdom to His people so that they can walk with revelation. This helps the righteous to make the right decisions or choices pertaining to their life.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 29

This scripture says, “For by thee I have run through a troop, and by my God have I leaped over a wall.”

Here the author speaks of God being the one who empowers him to do everything. This scripture is echoed in Philippians 4:13, where Apostle Paul tells us, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 30

This is what scripture says: “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust him.”

This means that God’s way is complete, lacking in nothing. In other words, the way of God is all that one needs to follow in order to feel accomplished. There is nothing in the world that can fill the space of God in man. That is eternity. The Bible says that God has hidden eternity in the hearts of men. So only God can occupy that space and nothing else, be it riches, pleasure, power, or greatness.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 31

This scripture says, “For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God?”

This means that God is supreme over all things in existence. He was there in the beginning (John 1:1-2) before anything ever existed. He is the Ancient of Days whose existence is outside time (Daniel 7:9). He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8).

The scripture also says that God is a rock for His people. When we build our lives upon His word, we shall stand strong in the face of the storms of life (Luke 6:7).

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 32

This scripture says, “It is God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect.”

This means that God strengthens the righteous. It means that He makes them walk in fulfillment.  

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 33

This scripture says, “He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet and setteth me upon my high places.”

This verse means that God makes the feet of His people to be like those of a deer. This enables them to occupy elevated or influential positions.

Meaning of Psalm 18 verse 34

This scripture says, “He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.”

This means that God instructs His people on how to navigate through the many battles that life brings their way. He teaches the righteous how to deal with very difficult circumstances and come out victorious.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 35

This scripture says, “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.”

This means that God saves the righteous and sustains them with His right hand. His gentleness cultivates greatness in the life of His people.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 36

This scripture says, “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”

This means that God helps His people in their walk of faith and keeps them from falling. The Bible teaches that the work God begins in someone, He always finishes.

Meaning of Psalm 18 verses 37-42

This scripture says, “I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; nor did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them so that they were not able to rise: they have fallen under my feet. For thou has girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies so that I might destroy them that hate me. They cried, but there was none to save them, even unto the LORD, but He answered them not. Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.”

This verse means that God empowers His people to overthrow their enemies. The verses teach us that with the help of God, the righteous can overcome all the plots of the enemy and defeat them in battle. The scriptures also point us to the fact that God does not answer the prayers of wicked people. Therefore, the righteous can easily defeat them. This is because God always fights for the righteous to ensure that they are victorious in their day-to-day walk with Him.

Meaning of Psalm 18 verses 43-44

This scripture says, “Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people, and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me; the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.”

This means that God delivers His people from those who speak ill against them. When Korah and his men spoke ill against Moses and incited the people against him, God caused the earth to open its mouth and swallow the rebels. The scriptures also indicate that God places His people in influential positions of authority. God then makes the ungodly come and serve them.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 45

This scripture says, “The strangers shall fade away and be afraid out of their close places.”

This verse means that God saves His people from attacks instigated by strangers. He instills His fear upon the strangers and causes them to flee to their hideouts.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 46

This scripture says, “The LORD liveth, and blessed be my rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”

This verse means that God is alive and that He should be exalted above all other gods. This is because God is a rock for the righteous. As long as their lives are established upon God, the righteous cannot be moved.

Meaning of Psalm 18, verse 47

This scripture says, “It is God that avengeth me and subdueth the people under me.”

This means that God contends against those that fight His people. He is the one that subdues the ungodly and causes them to serve the righteous.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 48

This scripture says, “He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.”

This means that God saves His people from the hand of violent men who rise against them. He fights for the righteous and saves them from the violence perpetuated by their enemies.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 49

This scripture says, “Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.”

This verse means that the righteous offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God for helping them defeat their enemies.

Meaning of Psalm 18, Verse 50

This scripture says, “Great deliverance giveth He to His king; and sheweth mercy to His anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.”

This verse means that God Himself delivers David from the hand of his enemies and preserves his descendants forevermore.

I hope this is helpful. Thank you.

Prayer to get born again

Are you willing to become born again? Say the following prayer sincerely:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.

I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.

I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.

I believe that you died and were resurrected in order for me to receive eternal life.

I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.

Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for saving me.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen!”

Congratulations, friend! You are now a born-again Christian!

Welcome to the family of God!