Psalm 18:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them.

NIV: They cried for help, but there was no one to save them-- to the LORD, but he did not answer.

NASB: They cried for help, but there was no one to save, They cried to the Lord, but He did not answer them.

CSB: They cry for help, but there is no one to save them -- they cry to the Lord, but he does not answer them.

NLT: They called for help, but no one came to their rescue. They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.

KJV: They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

NKJV: They cried out, but there was none to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.

David's enemies cried out for help, knowing they were on the verge of destruction. The early verses of this psalm depict a similar plea for rescue (Psalm 18:1–6). Unlike the deliverance provided to David, those who were enemies of God found no help.

It's important to note that even these enemies of God are said to have "cried to the LORD" when facing disaster. In desperation, otherwise unspiritual people will sometimes resort to prayer. When those requests are not granted, skeptics will claim it's because there is no God to hear them. The truth is that God doesn't answer because such people are not properly related to Him. John 9:31 says "we know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him."

In a parallel example, the people of Isaiah's day were hypocritical. They led unclean lives while observing religious holidays and bringing offerings to the temple. Despite their efforts, God saw through their hypocrisy. He said, "When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood" (Isaiah 1:15).

By opposing David, the Lord's anointed, David's enemies were opposing God and could not expect a positive answer to their prayers.

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.