Psalm 18:1-6 (7-16)

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” (Psalm 18:1–2)

Psalm 18 is generally classified as a royal psalm because it is attributed to King David and deals with his political and military victories. It has the features of an individual psalm of thanksgiving, including the report of the crisis, which has passed (18:4–19), and the vow to give thanks to the Lord (18:49).1 Perhaps in the history of Psalms usage it functiond as an instrument of other kings to celebrate their victories as well.2 The response in 18:46–50 indicates that it was used in the tabernacle and temple in a service of thanksgiving, with the congregation affirming the psalmist’s thanksgiving. Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22 are virtual duplicates, with only minor variations.3 Both texts may be taken from a common source, or one of them may be the original, but that is difficult to determine. The fact that the psalm is quoted in Proverbs 30:5 (18:30) and Habakkuk 3:19 (18:33) indicates that it is earlier than either of these.

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