Psalm 18:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

NIV: As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

NASB: As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is refined; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

CSB: God--his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.

NLT: God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

David states categorically that God's way is perfect, and His Word proves true. He does not say God's way is easy, but it is perfect. David's years of evading Saul and his men brought hardship, as did subsequent conflicts with other enemies. But through it all God was true to His word and perfectly used every trial to mold David into a faithful servant (2 Samuel 22:1). Also, during those years of testing, the Lord was David's shield, and David writes that the Lord "is a shield for all those who take refuge in him."

The Christian life is not easy—anyone who claims that salvation brings an easier life is lying (John 16:33). The apostles certainly faced hardship and opposition for the sake of Christ, and we should not expect anything different (2 Timothy 3:12). Nevertheless, the Lord uses every difficulty we encounter to develop Christlike character in us (Romans 5:3–5; 8:28–30; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–9). Romans 8:35–39 guarantee that even harsh adversities are not indicators that God no longer loves us.

Writing from a prison, the apostle Paul testified: "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:12–13). Indeed, God's way is perfect, and He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection!

Psalm 18:28–45 celebrates the Lord's goodness to David during his wilderness experience (2 Samuel 22:1). Second Samuel 22:29–46 is a companion passage, and 2 Samuel chapter 8 features several of David's victories. Other passages that focus on the victory God gives His people are Romans 8:28–39, 1 Corinthians 15:50–58, 2 Corinthians 1:8–11, 2:14–17, Ephesians 6:10–20, Philippians 1:12–26, 1 Peter 1:3–9, and 1 John 5:1–5.

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.