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Psalms · King James Version (with Apocrypha)

Psalm 18 King James Version (with Apocrypha)

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About KJV
  • Protestant
  • OT: Masoretic Hebrew
  • NT: Textus Receptus
  • Protestant, with the Apocrypha
  • Formal (word for word)
  • 1611
  • Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

Notes on this text (2)

1 To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 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. 3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 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] into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 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. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God? 32 [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ [feet], and setteth me upon my high places. 34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 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. 36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. 41 They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not. 42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. 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. 44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. 45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 [It is] God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 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. 49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. 50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Cross references (50)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

  1. 1 2 Samuel 22:1–51; Colossians 1:11; 1 John 4:19; Isaiah 12:1–6; Philippians 4:13
  2. 2 Psalm 144:2; Psalm 62:7; Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 91:2
  3. 3 Psalm 91:15; Luke 1:71; Romans 8:31–39; Psalm 62:8; 2 Samuel 22:4
  4. 4 Psalm 116:3; 2 Corinthians 1:9; Matthew 27:24–25; Mark 14:33–34; Psalm 22:12–13
  5. 5 Psalm 86:13; Psalm 88:15–17; Psalm 88:3–8; Acts 2:24; Ecclesiastes 9:12
  6. 6 Psalm 50:15; 2 Samuel 22:7; Psalm 34:15; Psalm 130:1–2; Psalm 120:1
  7. 7 Acts 4:31; Psalm 68:7–8; Ezekiel 38:19–20; Jeremiah 4:24; Acts 16:25–26
  8. 8 Psalm 21:9; Psalm 11:6; Nahum 1:5–6; Leviticus 10:2; Psalm 144:5–6
  9. 9 Psalm 144:5–15; Deuteronomy 33:26; 2 Peter 3:10; 2 Samuel 22:10; Deuteronomy 5:22–23
  10. 10 Psalm 104:3; 2 Samuel 22:11–12; Psalm 99:1; Ezekiel 10:20–22; Psalm 80:1
  11. 11 Deuteronomy 4:11; Psalm 97:2; Joel 2:2; Psalm 81:7; Psalm 91:1
  12. 12 Joshua 10:11; Revelation 16:21; Matthew 17:5; Exodus 9:23–24; Matthew 17:2
  13. 13 Psalm 104:7; 1 Samuel 7:10; Psalm 140:10; Psalm 29:3–4; Revelation 8:5
  14. 14 Psalm 144:6; Habakkuk 3:11; Numbers 24:8; Job 6:4; Joshua 10:10
  15. 15 Psalm 106:9; Exodus 15:8; Job 4:9; Psalm 76:6; Micah 6:2
  16. 16 2 Samuel 22:17; Psalm 144:7; Psalm 57:3; Jonah 2:5–6; Psalm 18:43
  17. 17 Hebrews 2:14–15; Job 16:9; Psalm 35:10; Psalm 142:6; Psalm 69:4–14
  18. 18 Obadiah 10–14; Psalm 46:11; Jeremiah 18:17; Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalm 59:16
  19. 19 Psalm 118:5; Psalm 31:8; Psalm 18:36; Job 36:16; Psalm 40:2
  20. 20 Psalm 24:4; Matthew 6:4; 1 Corinthians 3:8; Psalm 58:11; Job 22:30
  21. 21 Psalm 119:102; Psalm 26:1; Acts 24:16; Psalm 17:4; 1 John 2:19
  22. 22 Psalm 119:13; Psalm 119:112; Psalm 119:30; Psalm 119:117; Psalm 119:128
  23. 23 Matthew 18:8–9; Matthew 5:29–30; Psalm 37:27; 1 Chronicles 29:17; 1 Samuel 26:23
  24. 24 Matthew 10:41–42; Ruth 2:12; 1 Samuel 26:23; Hebrews 6:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:6–7
  25. 25 Matthew 5:7; Psalm 62:12; Matthew 18:33–35; 1 Kings 8:32; Nehemiah 9:17
  26. 26 Proverbs 3:34; Leviticus 26:23–24; James 2:13; Leviticus 26:27–28; Psalm 109:17–19
  27. 27 Isaiah 66:2; Isaiah 57:15; James 2:5; 2 Samuel 22:28; Psalm 101:5
  28. 28 2 Samuel 22:29; Job 29:3; Isaiah 42:16; Matthew 4:16; Luke 1:79
  29. 29 2 Samuel 22:30; Ephesians 6:10–13; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Revelation 3:21; Colossians 2:15
  30. 30 Deuteronomy 32:4; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 84:11–12; Psalm 12:6
  31. 31 Deuteronomy 32:31; Psalm 86:8; Isaiah 45:5; 2 Samuel 22:32; Deuteronomy 32:39
  32. 32 Isaiah 45:5; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Samuel 22:33; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 91:2
  33. 33 Habakkuk 3:19; Deuteronomy 32:13; Deuteronomy 33:29; 2 Samuel 2:18; 2 Samuel 22:14
  34. 34 Psalm 144:1; Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 45:1; Isaiah 28:6; 2 Samuel 22:36
  35. 35 2 Samuel 22:36; James 3:17–18; Psalm 28:7; Galatians 5:22–23; 2 Corinthians 10:1
  36. 36 Proverbs 4:12; 2 Samuel 22:37; Job 36:16; Psalm 4:1; Luke 12:50
  37. 37 Isaiah 53:10–12; Psalm 44:5; Psalm 37:20; Psalm 9:3; Isaiah 63:1–6
  38. 38 Psalm 36:12; 2 Samuel 10:1–19; 2 Samuel 5:1–25; 2 Samuel 21:15–22; 2 Samuel 18:7–8
  39. 39 2 Samuel 22:40–41; Psalm 18:32; 1 Corinthians 15:25–28; Isaiah 45:14; Ephesians 1:22
  40. 40 Psalm 21:12; Psalm 94:23
  41. 41 Proverbs 1:28; Job 27:9; Isaiah 1:15; Psalm 50:22; Job 35:12–13
  42. 42 Isaiah 10:6; Isaiah 41:15–16; Zechariah 10:5; 2 Kings 13:7; Isaiah 41:2
  43. 43 Isaiah 55:5; 2 Samuel 3:1; Isaiah 52:15; 1 Peter 2:10; 2 Samuel 19:9
  44. 44 Psalm 66:3; Psalm 81:15; 2 Samuel 22:44–46; Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 68:30
  45. 45 Micah 7:17; James 1:11; Revelation 6:16; Isaiah 24:4
  46. 46 2 Samuel 22:47; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 57:5; Revelation 1:18; John 14:19
  47. 47 Psalm 47:3; Romans 12:19; Psalm 144:2; Nahum 1:2; 2 Samuel 22:48
  48. 48 Psalm 140:11; Psalm 86:14; Psalm 140:4; Psalm 140:1; Psalm 59:1–2
  49. 49 Romans 15:9; 2 Samuel 22:50–51; Psalm 138:4; Psalm 108:1; Psalm 30:12
  50. 50 Psalm 144:10; Psalm 132:10; 2 Samuel 7:13; Psalm 89:3–4; Romans 11:29

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

  1. Quotes verse 18:28 Augustine of Hippo, Confessions (Book IV, Chapters XIII–XV)

    "For Thou wilt light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness; and "of His fulness have all we received," for "that was the true Light which lighted every man that cometh into the world;" for in Thee there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)

  2. Quotes verse 18:11 John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew (Homily LVI)

    … a dark cloud;--as on Mount Sinai; for "Moses," it is said, "entered into the cloud, and into the thick darkness; and as a vapor, so went up the smoke;" and the prophet said, when speaking of His threatening, "Dark water in clouds of the air;" --so here, because it was His desire not to alarm, but to teach, it is …

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)

  3. Quotes verse 18:9 Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures (Lecture XII)

    Another also of the Prophets said, He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under His feet.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)

  4. Quotes verse 18:11 Gregory of Nazianzus, Theological Orations (The Second Theological Oration)

    Therefore this darkness of the body has been placed between us and God, like the cloud of old between the Egyptians and the Hebrews; and this is perhaps what is meant by "He made darkness His secret place," namely our dulness, through which few can see even a little.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)

  5. Quotes verse 18:28 Augustine of Hippo, Confessions (Book XIII, Chapters VI–XI)

    … discovered their own darkness, dost Thou sufficiently disclose how noble Thou hast made the rational creature; to which nought which is inferior to Thee will suffice to yield a happy rest, and so not even herself. For Thou, O our God, shalt enlighten our darkness; from Thee are derived our garments of light, and then shall our darkness be as …

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)