Psalms 18

The Rock; Horn of Salvation

Rock — the sure, unmoving foundation; horn of salvation — mighty power to save

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. Psalms 18:1–3

David piles up titles for Jehovah: Rock, Deliverer, Horn of Salvation. Paul taught that the Rock was Christ, and Zacharias called Jesus the horn of salvation raised up in David's house.

How we know: a footnote points to Him

• a parallel account in 2 Samuel 22:2-3 — Same song in 2 Samuel.
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — That Rock was Christ.
• fulfilled by Luke 1:69 — God hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.
• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — The rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ.

Jehovah comes down to deliver

Jehovah — the LORD, the covenant name of the premortal Christ

In my distress 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 18:6–16

In a powerful vision of God, Jehovah hears from His temple, bends the heavens, comes down in storm and fire, and pulls His servant out of deep waters. It pictures the premortal Christ as the rescuer who comes down to save.

• a parallel account in 2 Samuel 22:7-17 — Same theophany in 2 Samuel.
• alludes to Exodus 19:18 — At Sinai the LORD descended in fire, smoke, and quaking.

The only Rock

Rock — the sure foundation

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? Psalms 18:31

There is no other Rock but Jehovah. Latter-day Saints know this Rock as Jesus Christ, the only sure foundation.

How we know: a footnote points to Him

• a parallel account in 2 Samuel 22:32 — Same verse in 2 Samuel.
• alludes to Deuteronomy 32:4 — He is the Rock, his work is perfect.
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — That Rock was Christ.

The anointed king over the nations

Thou hast delivered me from 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 18:43–44

David, the LORD's anointed king, becomes head over foreign nations. As a type, he points to the Son of David, Jesus Christ, whom the Gentiles would hear of and follow.

• a parallel account in 2 Samuel 22:44-45 — Same verses in 2 Samuel.
• alludes to Romans 15:9 — Paul applies this psalm's praise among the Gentiles to Christ.

My living Rock

Rock — the sure foundation

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psalms 18:46

David praises the living LORD as his Rock and the God of his salvation, titles that point to Jesus Christ.

How we know: a footnote points to Him

• a parallel account in 2 Samuel 22:47 — Same verse in 2 Samuel.
• alludes to Job 19:25 — I know that my redeemer liveth.

His anointed, David's seed forever

Messiah — the Anointed One

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalms 18:49–50

The LORD's mercy to His anointed and to David's seed forever points to the Messiah, the eternal King from David's line. Paul quoted verse 49 as Christ praising God among the Gentiles.

• quoted by Romans 15:9 — For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
• a parallel account in 2 Samuel 22:50-51 — Same verses in 2 Samuel.
• fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David... and of his kingdom there shall be no end.