Salmos 18
Tyndale Open Study Notes · Tyndale Open Study Notes
Salmos 18:1
Ps 18 This royal drama of divine rescue (also found with minor variations in 2 Sam 22:1-51) encourages readers who are following the laments and requests for rescue in Pss 16 and 17. The psalmist describes the dramatic nature of God’s rescue in three different ways (18:7-15, 16-19, 30-36). The psalm also extends hope that a future Son of David will be totally victorious over evil (18:43-50; cp. Ps 2). 18:title David was a faithful servant of the Lord, charged with the responsibility of establishing God’s kingdom on earth (see 78:70; 132:10; 144:10). • The Lord rescued David from all his enemies when he enabled David to conquer them (see 2 Sam 8:1-14).
Salmos 18:2
18:2 A shield is an image of protection, salvation, and victory (7:10; 18:2, 30, 35; 84:11; 91:4; 115:9, 10, 11; 119:114; 144:2). It evokes a response of trust, waiting, and godly confidence.
Salmos 18:3-5
18:3 God deserves praise for his greatness and faithfulness (48:1; 96:4; 145:3).
Salmos 18:6
18:6 God dwells in his sanctuary, the heavenly temple (102:19; see 14:2-3). He knows everything, sees everyone, and will vindicate the godly (see 11:3-7).
Salmos 18:7
18:7-15 The psalmist depicts the Lord’s descent from heaven to earth with phenomena such as earthquakes, flames, smoke, darkness, and rain. Creation shudders at God’s marvelous coming as the Divine Warrior (see 97:2-5) and Judge (see 50:1-6). 18:7 The destabilization of the whole earth will be a means of God’s judgment (77:17-18; 96:9; 97:4; 99:1; 104:32; Isa 29:6; Mic 1:3-4; Nah 1:2-6; Hag 2:7, 21).
Salmos 18:8
18:8 his nostrils . . . his mouth: The psalmist likens God to an angry person or a fierce creature (see Job 41:12-22). • The terrifying images of smoke, flames, and glowing coals express God’s wrath against sin.
Salmos 18:9
18:9-11 The Lord’s sovereignty extends over all of nature (see 104:2-4; 148:5-6).
Salmos 18:10-18
18:10 a mighty angelic being (Hebrew a cherub): See study notes on 1 Chr 28:18; 2 Chr 3:10-13.
Salmos 18:19
18:19 Because God loves and delights in the psalmist (see 18:1), he will save him (37:23; 41:11; 91:14-16).
Salmos 18:20
18:20-24 The psalmist affirms that loyalty is rewarded. He puts his trust in the Lord (see 16:1) and commits himself to living with integrity (see Pss 1, 15, 24; see also 19:12-14).
Salmos 18:21-24
18:21 kept the ways of the Lord: The psalmist faithfully obeys God’s instructions (see 25:8-10). • not turned . . . to follow evil: The psalmist rejects the way of folly (see Pss 1 and 14) and chooses the way of wisdom (see Pss 1 and 15).
Salmos 18:25
18:25-29 The faithful God remains true to his character. He loves faithfulness, blamelessness, and purity, and he hates the perverse (see 1:6).
Salmos 18:26
18:26 The pure have clean hands (see 18:20-24). • to the crooked you show yourself shrewd: The Lord knows each person’s character, and he justly responds to them in kind.
Salmos 18:27
18:27 proud: The Lord hates pride (101:5; 131:1; see Prov 6:16-17; 21:4; 30:13).
Salmos 18:28
18:28 light a lamp: The Lord renews the psalmist’s life, helping him overcome the darkness of adversity (see Pss 112:4; 119:105).
Salmos 18:29
18:29 scale any wall: God helps his servants fight their battles.
Salmos 18:30-31
18:30-36 The psalmist experiences God’s rescue and provision of victory. 18:30 perfect: God’s character has integrity (see 18:26). • God promises to protect his people, and he does so. • Seeking God’s protection entails trust and faith. Regardless of his feelings or external circumstances, the psalmist makes a deep commitment to the Lord. He experiences joy (5:11; 64:10) as he awaits the Lord’s rescue (57:1).
Salmos 18:32-35
18:32-34 The psalmist’s victories come from the Lord. He completely depends on God.
Salmos 18:36
18:36 A wide path represents freedom and safety (see 4:8; 119:35).
Salmos 18:37-39
18:37-42 With help from the Divine Warrior, the psalmist experienced victory over his enemies.
Salmos 18:40-42
18:40 Placing a foot on the necks of the enemy represents total victory (see Josh 10:23-26).
Salmos 18:43-45
18:43-45 With God’s victorious help, the psalmist achieved military and political success, thus fulfilling the history of David’s dynasty (Ps 2). The previous laments find some resolution in this psalm.
Salmos 18:46
18:46-50 The psalmist again reflects on the Lord’s victories. God’s marvelous rescue and the king’s victory are cause for celebration.
Salmos 18:47-48
18:47 God vindicates his servant and so fulfills his mission (Ps 2; see 47:3; 144:2).
Salmos 18:49
18:49 The psalmist’s vision of praise . . . among the nations motivated Paul in his mission to the Gentiles (Rom 15:9).
Salmos 18:50
18:50 God appointed David, his anointed ruler, to bring order into God’s world (see Ps 2). Both David and his descendants received this responsibility.