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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Psalms 18:30 - 18:50
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Giving all Glory to God Alone
v. 30. As for God, His way is perfect, always faultless and unblamable; the Word of the Lord is tried, refined and found, not drossy ore, but pure gold. He is a Buckler, a reliable Protection, to all those that trust in Him.
v. 31. For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock, a certain refuge and concealment, save our God? Jehovah alone is the true God, who can and will help.
v. 32. It is God that girdeth me with strength, enabling him to meet all dangers and all enemies successfully, and maketh my way perfect, giving him success in his rightful undertakings.
v. 33. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, gifted with fleetness to pursue the enemy, and setteth me upon my high places, as the master of the whole country.
v. 34. He teacheth my hands to war, his skill in battle being a gift of the Lord, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms, rather, his arms bending the bow of brass or tempered bronze, a feat which took considerable strength.
v. 35. Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation, the protection of Jehovah proving his deliverance; and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness, as the great God of heaven condescended to come to his assistance, hath made me great.
v. 36. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, giving him plenty of room for his feet, that my feet did not slip, being able to walk with a firm step, without limping.
v. 37. I have pursued mine enemies and overtaken them, by virtue of the strength of the Lord which he had received; neither did I turn again till they were consumed, utterly overthrown.
v. 38. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise, in all internal strife and in all foreign wars; they are fallen under my feet.
v. 39. For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle; Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
v. 40. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, so that they turned their backs to David in precipitate flight, that I might destroy them that hate me.
v. 41. They cried, calling upon their idols to help them, but there was none to save them; even unto the Lord, turning to the true God in the last emergency, but He answered them not; it was too late, and their motive in seeking His assistance was not the proper one.
v. 42. Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind, driven in hopeless confusion; I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets, the dust that is trodden under foot.
v. 43. Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people, preserving him in the midst of all internal conflicts; and Thou hast made me the head of the heathen, the ruler over all the nations round about; a people whom I have not known shall serve me, strangers bowing to his sovereignty.
v. 44. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me; the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
v. 45. The strangers shall fade away, like flowers or grasses withering away before a fiery wind, and be afraid out of their close places, coming out with trembling from their strongholds. The song of David, therefore, ends in a mighty burst of triumphant praise.
v. 46. The Lord liveth, in contrast to the dead idols of the heathen; and blessed be my Rock, in whom David trusted; and let the God of my salvation, who has granted him deliverance, be exalted.
v. 47. It is God that avengeth me, He had taken David's cause in hand as His own, and subdueth the people under me, reducing them to the position of slaves:
v. 48. He delivereth me from mine enemies; yea, Thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me, to a position of authority and influence; Thou hast delivered me from the violent man, this being said collectively of all David's enemies.
v. 49. Therefore will I give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, for the praise of Jehovah would finally be general also among the Gentiles, as the fame of His great deeds would be made known, Romans 15, 9, and sing praises unto Thy name.
v. 50. Great deliverance giveth He to His king, making him a partaker of the fulness of His salvation; and showeth mercy to His anointed, to David, and to his Seed forever. The last words connect this psalm with the Messianic promise, 2Sa_7:12-16; for in Christ, the Son of David, the fulness of God's grace and mercy, not only upon individuals, not only upon the children of Israel, but upon the Gentiles as well, was revealed. He who clings to this assurance in faith may safely trust in God as His Rock and the God of his salvation.