Psalms 18

23. upright before him--In my relation to God I have been perfect as to all parts of His law. The perfection does not relate to degree.
mine iniquity--perhaps the thought of his heart to kill Saul ( 1 Samuel 24:6 ). That David does not allude to all his conduct, in all relations, is evident from Psalms 51:1 , &c.

25-27. God renders to men according to their deeds in a penal, not vindictive, sense ( Leviticus 26:23 Leviticus 26:24 ).
merciful--or, "kind" ( Psalms 4:3 ).

26. froward--contrary to.

27. the afflicted people--that is, the humbly pious.
high looks--pride ( Psalms 101:5 , 131:1 ).

28. To give one light is to make prosperous ( Job 18:5 Job 18:6 , 21:17 ).
thou--is emphatic, as if to say, I can fully confide in Thee for help.

29. And this on past experience in his military life, set forth by these figures.

30-32. God's perfection is the source of his own, which has resulted from his trust on the one hand, and God's promised help on the other.
tried--"as metals are tried by fire and proved genuine" ( Psalms 12:6 ). Shield ( Psalms 3:3 ). Girding was essential to free motion on account of the looseness of Oriental dresses; hence it is an expressive figure for describing the gift of strength.

33-36. God's help farther described. He gives swiftness to pursue or elude his enemies ( Habakkuk 3:19 ), strength, protection, and a firm footing.

35. thy gentleness--as applied to God--condescension--or that which He gives, in the sense of humility (compare Proverbs 22:4 ).

36. enlarged my steps--made ample room (compare Proverbs 4:12 ).

37-41. In actual conflict, with God's aid, the defeat of his enemies is certain. A present and continued success is expressed.

39. that rose up against me--literally, "insurgents" ( Psalms 3:1 , 44:5 ).

40. given me the necks--literally, "backs of the necks"; made them retreat ( Exodus 23:27 , Joshua 7:8 ).

42. This conquest was complete.

43-45. Not only does He conquer civil foes, but foreigners, who are driven from their places of refuge.

44. submit, &c.--(compare Margin)--that is, show a forced subjection.

46. The Lord liveth--contrasts Him with idols ( 1 Corinthians 8:4 ).

47, 48. avengeth me--His cause is espoused by God as His own.

48. liftest me up--to safety and honors.

49, 50. Paul ( Romans 15:9 ) quotes from this doxology to show that under the Old Testament economy, others than the Jews were regarded as subjects of that spiritual government of which David was head, and in which character his deliverances and victories were typical of the more illustrious triumphs of David's greater Son. The language of Psalms 18:50 justifies this view in its distinct allusion to the great promise (compare 2 Samuel 7:12 ). In all David's successes he saw the pledges of a fulfilment of that promise, and he mourned in all his adversities, not only in view of his personal suffering, but because he saw in them evidences of danger to the great interests which were committed to his keeping. It is in these aspects of his character that we are led properly to appreciate the importance attached to his sorrows and sufferings, his joys and successes.