Chapter Eighteen

By its inscription and resemblance to other psalms of David, the authorship of this psalm by the latter is confirmed. The exact time of its writing cannot be determined because of the general nature of its content. This psalm is a solemn hymn to God as the Creator of the magnificent external world and of moral law, whereby it supplements the preceding one, which also is a hymn to God, but as the protector of the oppressed righteous one. “Kant did not perhaps recall this psalm when he said: there are two things that constantly excite my wonder—the starry heaven above my head and the moral law in my heart!” (Vigouroux. Guide to Reading the Bible, vol. 2, first half, p. 477).

The heaven, magnificent by day and by night, testifies to God’s glory before all that lives (2–5). On this heaven is the greatest light-giver—the sun, which passes around, vivifies, and illuminates the whole world (6–7). As beneficial is the sun for the earth, so beneficial is God’s moral law for man, purifying and enlivening his spiritual nature (6–10), which is why it is above all earthly treasures (8–12). Therefore David entreats the Lord to guard him from the action of sinful inclinations, often not realized by man himself, but upon their development and strengthening capable of destroying him (13–15).

Psalm 18:2. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands. Heaven, covered with an infinite multitude of lights, especially bright in the East, all this expanse above man’s head clearly testifies to the extraordinary greatness and power of the Creator. Man knows that these lights are beyond his power; he sees their extraordinary orderly course and beauty. What else, other than the greatness of God’s creative glory, does all this speak by the very fact of its existence!?

Psalm 18:3. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night shows knowledge. These lights and all the expanse of heaven from day to day, from night to night, constantly and unceasing speak and proclaim this greatness of God.

Psalm 18:4. There is no speech, and there are no words; their voice is not heard. The heavenly vault is everywhere, and therefore this proclamation is everywhere. Whatever peoples (“nations”) and tribes (“languages”) live on the earth and wherever they are found, this voice is heard by all. The expression “there is no speech, and there are no words” is understood (by Hengstenberg) also in this sense: although these phenomena are silent, do not possess the gift of speech, nevertheless everywhere eloquently, though silently, they proclaim the glory of the Creator.

Psalm 18:6. and it comes forth like a bridegroom from his wedding chamber, rejoicing like a strong man to run his course: Psalm 18:7. from the edge of the heavens is its coming forth, and its path is to the edge of them, and nothing is hidden from its heat. Among the lights, especially magnificent on the starry heaven, the sun stands out, which each day comes forth “from the edge of the heavens”—from the east, in extraordinary splendor, reminding one of a bridegroom in his adornment, or “a strong man” in competition in running. It traverses the whole earth and nothing is hidden from its heat and light: it warms and vivifies everything.

Psalm 18:8. The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, it makes the simple wise. Psalm 18:9. The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, it enlightens the eyes. Psalm 18:10. The fear of the Lord is pure, it endures forever. The judgments of the Lord are true, they are all righteous; “The law of the Lord,” “testimony,” “precepts of the Lord,” “fear of the Lord,” “judgments of the Lord”—synonymous expressions, designating the revelation of God given to man for his benefit. In this revelation man obtains “revival” of the soul, since the Divine law always corresponds to its loftiest, ideal impulses and by the authority of its higher origin sanctifies and strengthens man in following it. As a revelation given to man in various circumstances of life in which man finds it difficult to discern for himself, it “makes the simple wise,” giving him true knowledge and understanding of objects and phenomena; the revelation “gladdens the heart,” since it speaks of the fact that the Lord sees all and cares for all, that nothing good remains without His care and protection. “Enlightens the eyes”—synonymously expressed “makes wise.” The revelation, being given and proceeding from God, contains nothing sinful in itself, and therefore is not subject to change or purification: it is eternal and unchangeable. In the revelation is contained “truth”; therefore it is righteous.

Psalm 18:11. they are more desirable than gold and much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb; If such is the generative and renewing power of revelation, it is understandable that its givenness is incomparably higher than any ingots of gold and more pleasant than “honey,” higher than all external, material values.

Psalm 18:12. and Your servant is warned by them; in keeping them there is great reward. “Your servant”—David; “is warned by them”—strives to bring his actions into accord with the indications of revelation and to guard himself from turning to sin.

Psalm 18:13. Who can discern his errors? From my hidden sins, cleanse me, Psalm 18:14. and from presumptuous sins keep Your servant, so that they may not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression. But in the nature of man there are hidden, often not realized by him, sinful inclinations; there are sinful “thoughts” (“presumptuous”). Both may pass into action and lead to great “transgression,” to a turning away from God if they gain mastery over man. The timely clarification by man of the true meaning of these impulses and thoughts, as well as of their destructiveness, protects him from sin. Of such early enlightenment David entreats God, as an all-knowing being, from whom nothing is hidden.