What does Psalm 18:4 mean?
In the wilderness, when Saul and his forces pursued David (1 Samuel 23:15), David experienced great distress. At times he felt surrounded with no way to escape. This feeling is symbolized as cords—ropes or strings—that are wrapping around him. In those situations, it seemed death was imminent. Using another analogy, David compares this to the feeling of being caught in a flood or crashing waves. The sense of being overwhelmed and on the verge of death is terrifying. If it were not for God's rescue, David would surely have died.The book of Job includes comments from three of Job's companions, whose words are mostly unhelpful. Eliphaz, one of these "comforters" (Job 2:11) told Job, "Snares are all around you, and sudden terror overwhelms you, or darkness, so that you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you" (Job 22:10–11). Of course, trouble came like a flood to both Job and David, not because they were guilty of some horrendous sin. They were both upright in God's sight, but testing caused them to see the Lord more clearly as their rescuer and Redeemer (Job 19:24–25).
Believers may become severely distressed by persecution and/or trials, but the Lord never forsakes His people. Isaiah 43:1–2 promises: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by my name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you" (Isaiah 43:1–2).
Those who trust fully in God have a promise to cling to in tough times. Hebrews 13:5 quotes the Lord as saying, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Psalm 18:1–19 expresses David's love for the Lord and his praise to God for delivering him from his enemies. This is very similar—perhaps an updated version—of David's song of praise recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 22. Psalms 3—5 recall David's prayer for deliverance from his foes and his trust in the Lord to deliver him from them. Psalms 48:1; 96:4; 145:3; and 150 also express praise to the Lord. An account of David's deliverance from his enemies is found in 2 Samuel 19—21. Other passages of Scripture that reveal God's deliverance of His people include Exodus 14; Joshua 10; Judges 7; 2 Kings 19:20–37; and Revelation 19:11–21.
In 2 Samuel chapter 22, David expresses praise for all the times in his life where God gave him victory. That prayer or song is copied almost identically here. Psalm 18, itself, might have been adapted for use in public worship. David remembers dire situations where God rescued him. He dramatically recounts how God provided rescue and power. David also credits God with rewarding his obedience by making him a powerful and successful military leader. For these reasons, David commits himself to the praise and worship of the Lord.
