Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 18

1. I Will love thee e, O LORD my strength .

From whom alone I have received all my strength and success and settlement, and in whom alone I trust, as it follows v. 2.

c Most affectionately and with my whole Soul; as the Hebrew word signifies. I can return thee no better thing for all thy Favours than my Love and Heart, which I pray thee to accept. By loving him he understands not only his inward affection, but also all the outward Expressions and Testimonies of it, praising and glorifying, and serving of him.

Marginal references: Psal. 144. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪

2. The LORD is my rock and 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.

To which I flee for refuge, as the Israelites did to their Rocks. See Iudg. 6. 2. 1 Sam. 13. 6.

By which I have both defended my self and subdued mine Enemies. It is a Metaphor from those Beasts whose strength lyes in their Horns. The Horn is oft put for Power, as Psal. 92. 10. Amos 6. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. and elsewhere.

Marginal references: Heb. my Rock, Or Cli[illegible: 1+ letters].; Heb. 2. 13.

3. I will call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Or, I did call—and was saved. For the Future Tense is commonly used for that which is Past. And this seems best to agree with the whole Context, which is to praise God for mercies already received.

4. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

(i. e.) Dangerous and deadly Troubles. Or, the Bands or Cords of Death, which had almost seized me, and was putting it's Bands upon me. Compare Psal. 73. 4.

Their great multitudes and strength, and violent assaults, breaking in upon me like a Flood.

Marginal references: Psal. 116. 3; Heb. [illegible: 1 word].

5. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me .

Or, of the Grave, which brought me to the brink of the Grave.

Had almost taken hold of me, ere I was aware of my danger.

Marginal references: Or, Cords.

6. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cryed unto my God, he heard my voice out of his temple , and my cry came before him, even unto his ears.

Either, 1. Out of his Sanctuary; whence he promised to hear and answer the Prayers of his People, which are either made there or directed thither. Or 2. Out of his heavenly Habitation, which is oft called his Temple; See on Psal. 11. 4.

Marginal references: Psal. 11. 4.

7. Then the earth shook and trembled , the foundation also of the hills were moved and shaken , because he was wroth.

Then God appeared on my behalf in a miraculous and glorious manner, and with the great Terror and Confusion of all mine Enemies, which is here compared to an Earthquake.

The Earthquake was so deep and violent, that it overthrew whole Mountains by the Roots. Whereby he designs his lofty and potent Enemies; such being oft compared to Mountains, as Psal. 46. 3, 4. and 144. 5. Isa. 41. 15. &c.

8. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils , and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it .

As is usual in Persons, Transported with great anger and rage. He manifested his great displeasure against my Adversaries.

Which notes the Fervency, Constancy, and Efficacy of his anger.

Marginal references: Heb. by his.; Heb. him.

9. He bowed the heavens also and came down . and darkness was under his feet.

By producing thick and dark Clouds, by which the Heavens seem to come down to the Earth.

Not by change of place, but by the Manifestation of his Presence, and Power on my behalf.

Marginal references: * Psal. 144. 5.

10. And he rode upon a cherub , and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind .

Or, upon the Cherubims, by an Enallage of number, that is, upon the Angels, who are so called, Gen. 3. 24. Heb. 9. 5. who are also called God's Chariots, Psal. 68. 17. upon which he is said to sit and ride. All which is not to be understood grossly, but only to note God's using of the Ministry of Angels, in raising such Storms and Tempests as are here described.

As swiftly as the Wind. He came to my rescue with all speed.

Marginal references: Psal. 104. 3.

11. He made darkness his secret place : his pavilion round about him, were dark waters , and thick clouds of the skies.

Or, his hiding Place, (i. e.) He covered himself with dark Clouds, from whence he secretly shot at his Enemies, as it follows.

(i. e.) Watry Vapours and thick Clouds, as the next Words expound these

12. At the brightness that was before him , his thick clouds passed , hail-stones and coals of fire.

At his glorious and powerful appearance.

Or, passed away, (i. e.) Vanished, (as this Word is oft taken, as Psal. 90. 5, 6. Isa. 29. 5. Hab. 3. 10.) being dissolved into showers of Hail-stones, &c.

13. The LORD also thundered b in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice : hailstones and coals of fire.

(i. e.) Thunder, oft so called. The same thing expressed in other Words.

q To wit, against my Adversaries. Thunder is a sign of God's Anger, 1 Sam. 2. 10. and 7. 10

14. Yea he sent out his arrows , and scattered them ; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

To wit, Lightnings, as it is explained in the next Clause.

To wit, mine Enemies: Which is sufficiently understood from v. 3. and 17. and from the whole Context.

15. 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.

By mighty and terrible Earthquakes which overturned the Earth, and made it's lower parts, uppermost and visible.

16. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

Angels, or assistance otherwise.

Marginal references: Psal. 144. 7. & [illegible: 1+ letters]7. 3.; Or, great waters.

17. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me : for they were too strong for me.

From them that wanted neither Malice nor Power.

18. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

They were too cunning for me, and had almost surprized me, but they could not prevent thee.

19. He brought me forth also into a large place : he delivered me, because he delighted in me .

Out of my Straits and Difficulties, out of the little Caves in which I was shut up and imprisoned.

Into a state of Freedom and Plenty, and Comfort.

Or, loved me, or had a good will to me, as this Phrase commonly signifies. Whereby he ascribes all his Mercies and Blessings to God's good Pleasure and free Grace, as the first spring of them. Which he thought fit to Premise, lest the following Expressions should seem to savour of boasting of his own Merits, which he oft disclaims.

Marginal references: Psal. 118. 5.

20. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness ; according to the clanness of my hands o hath he recompensed me.

As I had a just Cause, and made it my Care and Business to deal righteously with God and with Saul and all others, so God (who hath engaged himself by his Promise, to succour and reward them that are such) was graciously pleased to own me, and to plead my Cause against my unrighteous Enemies. And Because I would not deliver my self from my Straits and Miseries, by unrigteous means, namely, by killing Saul, as I was advised to do: God was pleased to deliver me in a more honourable and effectual manner.

n (i. e.) The innocency of my Actions, and carriage towards Saul, from whose Blood I kept my hands pure.

21. For I have kept the ways of the LORD , and have not wickedly departed from my God .

I have observed and obeyed his Precepts, and made mine own Will, and Passions and Interest stoop to them.

(i. e.) I have not knowingly and wilfully forsaken God, and broken his Laws as wicked men do. Which he adds by way of Correction and Explication, lest the former or following Clauses, should be interpreted as a Profession of such a perfect and Sinless righteousness, whereby he might in strict Justice be justified by, and before God; which he elsewhere utterly disowns, Psal. 130. 3. and 143. 2. and which David, especially towards the end of his days, (when this Psalm was Composed, as the Title shews) could not pretend to without great Arrogancy and Falshood, as having been guilty of those great Sins of Murder and Adu[illegible: 1+ letters]tery, and many other Errors, as he confesseth, Psal. 19. 12. and oft elsewhere:

22. For all his judgments were before me , and I did not * put away his statutes from me .

(i. e.) Before the Eyes of my Mind. I diligently studied and Considered them, that I might govern my whole Life by them.

(i. e.) Out of my view, as ungodly men do; who like not to retain God nor his Word in their Hearts, or Thoughts.

Marginal references: Psal. 10. [illegible: 1+ letters].

23. I was also upright before him : and I kept my self from mine iniquity .

I did not pretend Religion before men for my own Ends, but did approve my Heart and ways to the all-seeing God.

(i. e.) From that sin which I was most inclined, or tempted: Either, 1. From my. Hereditary and natural Corruption, so far that it should not have Dominion over me, nor break forth into any Presumptuous or Scandalous sins. Or rather, 2. From the sin of killing Saul, which might be called his sin, because this might seem most agreeable and desireable to him both as a Man and as a Souldier, and as anointed to be King, as being a likely way, both to revenge and to preserve and to advance himself; to which also he might seem to be both invited by the fair Opportunity which Providence had put into his Hand, 1 Sam. 24. 4. and 26. 8. and necessitated by Saul's implacable Malice, and his own perpetual and extream Dangers and Distresses; and to which he was so strongly tempted by his own followers, in the place now quoted.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] Job 11. 4.

25 With the merciful man thou wilt shew thy self merciful with an upright man thou wilt shew thy self upright .

Or, sincere, to wit, in performing what thou hast Promised to such Persons, this being a great part or act of Sincerity, when [illegible: 1+ letters]nes Deeds and Words, or Professio[illegible: 1+ letters]s agree together; as on the contrary for those that deal Hypocritically and wickedly with thee, thou wi[illegible: 1+ letters]st make them to know thy [illegible: 1 word] of Promise, as it is expressed, Numb. 14. 34. The Sence of the Verse, Thou me[illegible: 1+ letters]est to every one the same measure, which he meteth out to others, and givest to him the Fruit of his own doings, and therefore thou wilst perform mercy and truth, to those who are merciful and true to others, as through thy mercy I have been.

Marginal references: Or perfect.

26. With the pure thou wilt shew thy self pure , and with the froward thou wilst shew thy self froward .

Free from the least mixture or appearance of unrighteousness, or unfaithfulness, or unkindness, or simply and sincerely such as thou usest, and hast promised to be to them that are such: for Purity is oft put for Sincerity.

Or, perv[illegible: 1+ letters]rse, (i. e.) Thou wilst Cross him and Walk contrary to him, as thou hast threatned, Levit. 26. 23, 24. See also, Prov. 3. 34, Man's perversness here is moral and sinful, but God's perversness is judicial and penal.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 16. [illegible: 1+ letters]3, [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word], 2[illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1 word].

27. For thou wilt save the afflicted people : but wilt bring down high looks .

Such as I and my poor followers were.

(i. e.) Proud Persons who discover the pride of their Hearts, by their haughty looks and Carriages, Psal. 101. 5. Prov. 6. 17. such as mine Enemies were.

28. For thou wilt light my candle : the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Or, thou dost light, or hast lighted my Candle, (i. e.) given me Safety and Comfort, and Prosperity and Glory, and Posterity also; all which are oft signified by a Candle or a Light, as Esth. 8. 16. Iob 21. 17. and 29. 3. Psal. 97. 11. and 132. 17. &c.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

29. For by thee I have run through a troop : and by my God have I leaped over a wall .

(i. e.) Broken through the armed Troops of mine Enemies.

I have scaled the Walls of their strongest Cities and Castles, and so taken them.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

30. As for God his way is perfect : the word of the LORD is tryed : he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

His Counsel and Providence, though it may sometimes be dark and hard to be understood, yet is always wise and just, and every way perfect or unblameable.

The truth of God's promises is certain, and approved by innumerable Experiences, and mine among the rest.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 12. 4. [illegible: 1 word] 4. 37. [illegible: 1 word]. 15. 3.; [illegible: 1 word] 126. & [illegible: 1 word]. 140. Pro. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word].; [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

31. For who is God save the LORD ? or who is a Rock save our God!

It must needs be as I have said, because our Lord is the only God, and therefore there is none, neither God nor Creature, that can hinder him from accomplishing his own word and work, or from defending those that trust him: He is unchangeable and invincible. Or this is an Amplification, as God is, what I have now described him to be, so he only is such, and there is no other God, or Rock in which they may safely trust.

Marginal references: * Deut. 32 39. [illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ 2. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]6. 8. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1+ letters]5. 5.

32. It is God that girdeth me with strength , and maketh my way perfect .

That gives me strength both of Mind and Body for Battel. It is a Metaphor taken either from a Military Girdle, or from a Common Girdle, wherewith their loose Garments were girt about them, whereby they were rendred fitter for any Action.

(i. e.) Perfectly plain and smooth, and clear from Impediments, as Pioneers use to prepare the way for the March of an Army. He guideth me in all my Counsels and enterprizes, so that I neither miss my way, nor stumble in it, nor come short of my end.

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

(i. e.) Most swist and nimble. As he made me wise in Counsel and Contrivance, (which he elsewhere saith) so he made me speedy and Expeditious in the Execution: Which are the two great Excellencies of a Captain. He gave me great Agility either to f[illegible: 1+ letters]ee and escape from mine Enemies, when prudence required it, or to pursue them, when I saw occasion.

Heb. maketh me to stand, (i. e.) Either he placeth me in safe and strong places, out of the reach of mine Enemies[illegible: 1+ letters]: Or he confirms and establisheth me in that high and honourable estate into which he hath advanced me; and gives me [illegible: 1 word] to improve my Victories.

Marginal references: Deut. 32. 13. [illegible: 1+ letters] 33. 29.

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

To him I owe all that Military skill, or Strength or Courage which I have.

My strength is sufficient not only to bend it, but to break it.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

35. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation : and thy right hand hath holden m[illegible: 1+ letters] up , and ‖ thy gentleness hath made me great.

Thy Safeguard and Protection, which hath been to me like a shield to defend me.

Kept me from falling into those Snare and Mischiefs, which mine Enemies designed and I seared.

Or, [illegible: 1 word], as this word signifies, [illegible: 1 word]. 12. 3. Psal. 10. 17. [illegible: 1 word] 45. 4. Zeph. 2, 3. (i. e.) Thy Clemency, whereby thou [illegible: 1 word] pardoned my sins, which might otherwise have undone me, and mitigated thy Corrections which I have deserved, thy Grace and Benignity, which thou hast freely shewed to me and for me.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

36. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me: that my feet did not slip .

Which before were straitned and confined to a little Compass, and intangled with the narrowness and difficulty of the way. Thou hast set my [illegible: 1+ letters]eet in a large Room, Psal. 31. 8. and 118. 5. (i. e.) Thou hast brought me out of all my straits and Difficulties, into a state of Freedom and Safety.

Or, stumble, as they are apt to do in narrow and uneven ways.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]

38. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise. they are fallen under my feet .

(i. e.) Cast down to the ground, so as I may tread upon their Necks after the manner of Conquerors, Deut. 33. 29. Ios. 10. 24.

39. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battel: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

He repeats what he had said, v. 32. lest he should seem to arrogate to himself his great Atchievements and Victories mentioned, v. 37, 38. and that he might give God the whole Praise and Glory of them.

Marginal references: Heb. caused to bow.

40. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies: that I might destroy them that hate me.

Either, 1. That I might smite or behead them. Or 2. That I might put my yoke upon their Necks, or bring them into Subjection. Or rather thus, Thou hast made them turn their Backs to me, (i. e.) Flee away from me: for so this very Phrase is used and rendred, Exod. 23. 27. Ios. 7, 8. 12. and elsewhere. So far are they mistaken, that say this Hebrew word Oreph is only used for the Neck and not for the Back.

That I might have Opportunity to destroy them.

41. They cryed, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD , but he answered them not.

He speaks of his Israelitish Enemies, who in their Distresses prayed to God for help against him.

Marginal references: Job. 27. 9. & 35. 12. Prov. 1. 28. Isa. 1. 15. Jer. 11. 11. & 14. 12. Ezek. 8. 18. M[illegible: 1+ letters]ch. 3. 4. Zech. 7. 13.

42. Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as dirt in the streets.

Or, Rid them away, as Dirt is usually swept or carried out of Houses or Streets. Or, tread them down; Or br[illegible: 1+ letters]se them, as men do Dirt when they walk in the Streets.

Marginal references: Zech. 10. 5.

43. 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.

From Contentions, and Seditions, and Tumults of my own people under Saul, and Ihbosheth and Absalom.

Of the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Syrians and others.

Whom I had no acquaintance with, nor Relation to, no not by thy Promise or Grant; even barbarous and remote Nations.

44. Assoon as they hear of me , they shall obey me: † the strangers shall submit themselves unto me .

Either, 1. At the fame of my Name, and Victorious Arms. Or 2. At the first ridings of my coming towards them. Or rather, 3. As soon as they understand my Will and Pleasure, they shall instantly comply with it.

Heb. Shall [illegible: 1+ letters]ye unto me, (i. e.) Shall submit themselves to me not willingly and cheerfully, as they will pretend, but only out of fear, and by constraint. By which it appears that this is spoken with reference to David, and not (as some would have it) to Christ, because Christ's people are a willing People, Psal. 110. 3. and those whom he Conquess do freely obey him.

Marginal references: Heb. at the hearing of the ear.; Or, yield seigned obedience▪; Heb. he.; Heb. the Sons of the stranger.

45. The strangers shall fade away , and be afraid , out of their close places .

(i. e.) Shall wither and decay in their hopes and strength.

(i. e.) Shall come trembling: one Verb being put for two, as Psal. 22. 21. thou hast heard me, (i. e.) Having delivered me, and 42. 1. panteth, (i. e.) Panting hastneth, and in many other places.

Out of their strong holds, where they shall lurk and keep themselves for fear of me, and whence they dare not stir without trembling. Or, for (as the Particle Mem is oft used) their close places, (i. e.) Lest I should assault and take them.

46. The LORD liveth , and blessed be my rock : and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

He and he only is the true living God, as he hath manifested himself to be for my Comfort and for the Confusion of mine Enemies, when other Gods are dead and impotent Idols. Or, Let the Lord live. So it is a joyful and thankful Acclamation spoken after the manner of earthly Princes.

Let him have all blessing and praise, for he is worthy of it.

47. It is God that avengeth me ; and subdueth the people under me.

That executed Vengeance both by me, against Malicious Enemies, and for me against Saul, of whom I would not avenge my self.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. giveth ave[illegible: 1+ letters]gements for me▪; Or, destroyeth.

48. 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 .

Above their Malice and Power.

From Saul: whom for Honours sake he forbears to mention.

Marginal references: Psal. 59. 1.; Heb. man of violence.

49. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen : and sing praises unto thy name.

Or, among the Gentiles or Nations; (i. e.) Either, 1. In the great Congregations consisting of the Israelites of all Tribes; of whom this very word is used, Ios. 3. 17. and 4. 1. Ezek. 2. 3. and elsewhere, as hath been noted before, Or 2. In the Presence of those Gentiles, who resorted to Ierusalem in great numbers, or before others of them; who are either subject to me, or Consederate with me, as I have occasion of speaking or writing to any of them. But this was but an uncertain and inconsiderable Business. And therefore David is here transported beyond himself, even to his seed for ever, as it is expressed v. 50. and speaks this in special Relation to Christ, who was to be his seed, and of whom he was an Eminent Type, and by whom alone this was done, to any purpose. And therefore this is justly applied to him, and to his Preaching to and calling of the Gentiles, Rom. 15. 9.

Marginal references: Rom. 15. 9.; Or, confess.

50. Great deliverance giveth he to his king : and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

To the King whom God himself chose and anointed or constituted.

To all his Posterity, and especially to the Mess[illegible: 1+ letters]as, who is called David's seed, Act. 13. 23. Rom. 1. 3. and his So[illegible: 1+ letters], Psal. 89. 27. and 110. 1: Comp. with Mat. 22. 42. and the Seed by way of Eminency, Gal. 3. 16. and Gods anointed and King, Psal. 2. 2.

Marginal references: 2 Sam▪ 7. 13.