📖 Psalms — Chapter 18 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Psalms 18:1 RI will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
Psalms 18:2 The RLORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, Tmy strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalms 18:3 RI will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalms 18:4 The Rsorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of Tungodly men made me afraid.
Psalms 18:5 The Tsorrows of hell compassed me about: the Rsnares of death prevented me.
Psalms 18:6 In my Rdistress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Psalms 18:7 Then the Rearth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
Psalms 18:8 There Rwent up a smoke Tout of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Psalms 18:9 RHe bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
Psalms 18:10 And he Rrode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
Psalms 18:11 He made darkness his Rsecret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
Psalms 18:12 RAt the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
Psalms 18:13 The LORD also Rthundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
Psalms 18:14 RYea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
Psalms 18:15 Then the Rchannels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
Psalms 18:16 RHe sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of Tmany waters.
Psalms 18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from Rthem which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Psalms 18:18 They prevented Rme in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
Psalms 18:19 He Rbrought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Psalms 18:20 The LORD Rrewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
Psalms 18:21 RFor I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
Psalms 18:22 RFor all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
Psalms 18:23 I was also Rupright Tbefore him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
Psalms 18:24 Therefore hath Rthe LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands Tin his eyesight.
Psalms 18:25 RWith the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
Psalms 18:26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt Tshew thyself froward.
Psalms 18:27 For thou wilt Rsave the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
Psalms 18:28 For Rthou wilt light my Tcandle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Psalms 18:29 For Rby thee I have Trun through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
Psalms 18:30 As for God, Rhis way is perfect: the word of the LORD is Ttried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Psalms 18:31 RFor who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
Psalms 18:32 It is God that Rgirdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Psalms 18:33 He Rmaketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
Psalms 18:34 He Rteacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Psalms 18:35 Thou hast also given me the Rshield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and Tthy gentleness hath made me great.
Psalms 18:36 Thou hast Renlarged my steps under me, that Tmy feet did not slip.
Psalms 18:37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
Psalms 18:38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
Psalms 18:39 For thou hast Rgirded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast Tsubdued under me those that rose up against me.
Psalms 18:40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
Psalms 18:41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
Psalms 18:42 Then did I Rbeat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
Psalms 18:43 Thou hast delivered me Rfrom the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Psalms 18:44 RTAs soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the Tstrangers shall Tsubmit themselves unto me.
Psalms 18:45 The RTstrangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
Psalms 18:46 The RLORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Psalms 18:47 It is God that RTavengeth me, and Tsubdueth the people under me.
Psalms 18:48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou Rliftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the Tviolent man.
Psalms 18:49 Therefore Rwill I Tgive thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Psalms 18:50 RGreat deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 18:1–19 — The Lord rescues from overwhelming danger
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The speaker praises God as strength, rock, fortress, and deliverer. A sweeping portrait of storm and divine descent expresses rescue from dangers too strong for him. He cries in distress, is heard, and is drawn into a broad place. The imagery celebrates God's intervention rather than human self-sufficiency.
Key Truth: The Lord hears distress and gives deliverance.
Check What You Remember
1. What is the Lord called alongside fortress and deliverer? (Psalms 18:2)
Find it in Psalms 18:2 (KJV).
2. From where does God hear the cry? (Psalms 18:6)
Find it in Psalms 18:6 (KJV).
3. From what does God draw the speaker? (Psalms 18:16)
Find it in Psalms 18:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 18:20–36 — Faithful conduct and enabling strength
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The speaker connects rescue with his loyalty to God's ways and praises the Lord's perfect way and tested word. He credits God with strength, security, and gentleness. This testimony of vindication in a particular conflict must be read alongside Scripture's accounts of faithful people who also endure suffering.
Key Truth: God's help calls forth faithful conduct and gratitude.
Check What You Remember
1. What ways has the speaker kept? (Psalms 18:21)
Find it in Psalms 18:21 (KJV).
2. What is God's way called? (Psalms 18:30)
Find it in Psalms 18:30 (KJV).
3. What has made the speaker great? (Psalms 18:35)
Find it in Psalms 18:35 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 18:37–50 — Victory becomes thanksgiving
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The royal speaker recounts victory, rule, and rescue from violent opponents. He gives God the credit and concludes with thanksgiving among the nations and mercy toward David and his descendants. The battle setting belongs to this royal testimony; the passage does not authorize private violence against personal adversaries.
Key Truth: Deliverance should lead to praise of God.
Check What You Remember
1. Who girded the speaker with strength for battle? (Psalms 18:39)
Find it in Psalms 18:39 (KJV).
2. Who is said to live? (Psalms 18:46)
Find it in Psalms 18:46 (KJV).
3. Which king is named in the closing verse? (Psalms 18:50)
Find it in Psalms 18:50 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
2 Samuel 22:2 — David's song in Samuel shares this confession of God as rock and deliverer.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What help have you received that you can remember with gratitude rather than claiming the credit for yourself?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do the opening defence images identify the source of help?
2. What movement carries the speaker from danger to relief?
3. How does the account of recompense describe the speaker’s conduct?
4. What striking quality accompanies strength and the shield of salvation?
5. How does the ending move from personal deliverance to royal continuity?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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