Psalm 18:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me.

NIV: All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.

NASB: For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.

CSB: Indeed, I let all his ordinances guide me and have not disregarded his statutes.

NLT: I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees.

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

NKJV: For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.

David testifies in this verse that he has obeyed God's rules and statutes. He knew the Law and followed it devotedly. The rough life of being a fugitive in the wilderness did not cause David to rebel against the Lord. He steadfastly obeyed Him. Unfortunately, David was not perfect in his spiritual life (1 Kings 15:5), but his consistent pattern was to follow and honor God (1 Samuel 13:14).

The prophet Samuel had a testimony of intense devotion to God (1 Samuel 12:1–5). He told all Israel he was old and gray and well-known by the Israelites for his integrity. He had never defrauded or oppressed anyone. Nor had he stolen or taken a bribe. He called upon the Lord to be his witness. Years later, as King Hezekiah lay on his death bed, he prayed: "Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight" (2 Kings 20:3).

The testimonies of David, Samuel, and Hezekiah should encourage us to obey God's Word all the days of our lives.

Psalm 18:20–27 describes David's relationship with the Lord as the reason God rescued him. Second Samuel 22:21–26 presents a slight variation of the words found in this passage. Most likely, the words David originally spoke, as recorded in 2 Samuel 22, were adapted for use in a worship setting, as presented in Psalm 18. David began this psalm by telling the Lord he loved Him. Next, he described dire circumstances, such as when Saul and his men pursued him in the wilderness. He closed the first section of the psalm with a poetic description of how the Lord rescued him from his enemies.

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 5/2/2024 3:18:22 PM