Psalm 18:50 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

NIV: He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever.

NASB: He gives great salvation to His king, And shows faithfulness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever.

CSB: He gives great victories to his king; he shows loyalty to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

NLT: You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever.

KJV: Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and showeth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed forevermore.

NKJV: Great deliverance He gives to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants forevermore.

David rejoices that God granted him salvation. Not only did God deliver him from his enemies (2 Samuel 22:1) but the Lord also brought David into a right relationship with Himself. David was rescued from his enemies, and this theme of redemption echoes in the way the Messiah saves is from our sins. Further, David praises God for his steadfast love. God never withdraws His love from those whom He saves, and His love extends to David's offspring, his descendants, forever.

Throughout history the people of Israel have endured many intense persecutions, but they have survived because God loves them forever. In the tribulation period that follows the removal of the church from the earth, Satan will unleash his fury on Israel (Revelation 12), but God will provide an escape for His people. At the close of the tribulation a remnant of saved Jews will enter Messiah's earthly kingdom (Micah 2:12; Zechariah 2:6–12; 8:7–8, 22–23; 13:1). God's steadfast love also rests upon believers today. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38–39).

Psalm 18:46–50 is the closing section of this song of praise. Here, David raises a crescendo of acclaim to the Lord. He addresses the Lord as his rock and the God of his salvation. Then he rehearses what the Lord did for him. Second Samuel 22:47–51 is a parallel passage. These words of praise were written when the Lord delivered David from his enemies and from Saul (2 Samuel 22:1). Romans 15:9–12 refers to praise to the Lord, and verse 9 quotes Psalm 18:49.

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.

This psalm is David's prayer to the Lord in which David praises the Lord for making him victorious over his enemies. Second Samuel 5, 8, and 10 are companion chapters, and 2 Samuel 22 provides another version of this psalm. Second Samuel 22:1 tells us David composed Psalm 18 on the day the Lord delivered him from his enemies and Saul. Second Samuel 19 reports David's victorious return to Jerusalem after David vanquished his enemies.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 9/14/2024 6:50:42 PM