Psalm-18

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim - Psalm 18”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Foreword:

Psalm 18 (51 verses, JPS 1917) is David’s extended song of deliverance: it moves from crisis and cosmic theophany to thanksgiving, testimony of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice, and a final affirmation of covenantal blessing.

Introduction:

Psalm 18 celebrates a dramatic rescue, traditionally linked to David’s deliverance from enemies and reads like a victory hymn that also teaches about אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power, righteousness, and covenantal faithfulness.

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Let us now read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 18: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. For the Leader. (A Psalm) of David the servant of יְהוָה - the LORD, who spoke unto יְהוָה - the LORD the words of this song in the day that יְהוָה - the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul;
2. And he said: I love thee, O יְהוָה - LORD, my strength.
3. יְהוָה - the LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, my rock, in Him I take refuge; my shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower.
4. Praised, I cry, is יְהוָה - the LORD, and I am saved from mine enemies.
5. The cords of Death compassed me, and the floods of Belial assailed me.
6. The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of Death confronted me.
7. In my distress I called upon יְהוָה - the LORD, and cried unto my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; out of His temple He heard my voice, and my cry came before Him unto His ears.
8. Then the earth did shake and quake, the foundations also of the mountains did tremble; they were shaken, because He was wroth.
9. Smoke arose up in His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth did devour; coals flamed forth from Him.
10. He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and thick darkness was under His feet.
11. And He rode upon a cherub, and did fly; yea, He did swoop down upon the wings of the wind.
12. He made darkness His hiding-place, His pavilion round about Him; darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
13. At the brightness before Him, there passed through His thick clouds hailstones and coals of fire.
14. יְהוָה - the LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High gave forth His voice; hailstones and coals of fire.
15. And He sent out His arrows, and scattered them; and He shot forth lightnings, and discomfited them.
16. And the channels of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were laid bare, at Thy rebuke, O יְהוָה - LORD, at the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils.
17. He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.
18. He delivered me from mine enemy most strong, and from them that hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
19. They confronted me in the day of my calamity; but יְהוָה - the LORD was a stay unto me.
20. He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me.
21. יְהוָה - the LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.
22. For I have kept the ways of יְהוָה - the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
23. For all His ordinances were before me, and I put not away His statutes from me.
24. And I was single-hearted with Him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
25. Therefore hath יְהוָה - the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.
26. With the merciful Thou dost show Thyself merciful, with the upright man Thou dost show Thyself upright;
27. With the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure; and with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself subtle.
28. For Thou dost save the afflicted people; but the haughty eyes Thou dost humble.
29. For Thou dost light my lamp; יְהוָה - the LORD my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim doth lighten my darkness.
30. For by Thee I run upon a troop; and by my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim do I scale a wall.
31. As for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, His way is perfect; the word of יְהוָה - the LORD is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in Him.
32. For who is אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, save יְהוָה - the LORD? And who is a Rock, except our אֱלֹהִים - Elohim?
33. The אֱלֹהִים - Elohim that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way straight;
34. Who maketh my feet like hinds', and setteth me upon my high places;
35. Who traineth my hands for war, so that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.
36. Thou hast also given me Thy shield of salvation, and Thy right hand hath holden me up; and Thy condescension hath made me great.
37. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.
38. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turn back till they were consumed.
39. I have smitten them through, so that they are not able to rise; they are fallen under my feet.
40. For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle; Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
41. Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, and I did cut off them that hate me.
42. They cried, but there was none to save; even unto יְהוָה - the LORD, but He answered them not.
43. Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.
44. Thou hast delivered me from the contentions of the people; Thou hast made me the head of the nations; a people whom I have not known serve me.
45. As soon as they hear of me, they obey me; the sons of the stranger dwindle away before me.
46. The sons of the stranger fade away, and come trembling out of their close places.
47. יְהוָה - the LORD liveth, and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of my salvation;
48. Even the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim that executeth vengeance for me, and subdueth peoples under me.
49. He delivereth me from mine enemies; yea, Thou liftest me up above them that rise up against me; Thou deliverest me from the violent man.
50. Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD, among the nations, and will sing praises unto Thy name.
51. Great salvation giveth He to His king; and showeth mercy to His anointed, to David and to his seed, for evermore.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ (grouped with explanations):

Verses 1-6: Opening praise and refuge. David names אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as rock, fortress, deliverer and cries out from peril; the language frames אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as personal protector whose salvation elicits praise.

Verses 7-15: Theophany and cosmic rescue. Thunder, earthquake, smoke, and fire depict אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s dramatic descent to save; these images stress that deliverance is both personal and cosmic, enacted by the sovereign יְהוָה - LORD.

Verses 16-19: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s rescue from overwhelming danger. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim reaches down, draws David out of deep waters and strong enemies; the verbs emphasize immediacy and total salvation.

Verses 20-27: Moral basis for vindication. David testifies that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim rewards the blameless and acts against the wicked; the psalm links personal integrity with divine favour while acknowledging ’ אֱלֹהִים - Elohim s impartial justice.

Verses 28-30: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s way and perfection. The psalmist praises אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s way as perfect and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as a shield; these verses function as theological reflection on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character and reliability.

Verses 31-42: Military victory recounted. David recounts how אֱלֹהִים - Elohim enabled him to pursue and defeat enemies; the narrative underlines that success is granted by divine empowerment, not merely human might.

Verses 43-48: Universal scope of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s rule. The psalm moves from personal victory to national and even cosmic triumph—subduing nations and establishing peace, pointing to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sovereignty over all peoples.

Verses 49-51: Final thanksgiving and doxology. The closing verses return to praise: David blesses אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for deliverance and extols אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s enduring love and faithfulness, ending the song with covenantal affirmation.

My Concluding message:

Psalm 18 teaches that true deliverance combines אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s transcendent power and moral governance: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim acts in history with overwhelming force to rescue the faithful, and He does so in a way that vindicates righteousness and establishes lasting peace”.

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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