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Psalm 18:30 and the Other Verses of Psalm 18

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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”

Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively.  Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior.  Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This webpage could be periodically updated.  If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated.  Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.  

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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.  

When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:  

“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:  

“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”

It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”

A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher.  Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:  

If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship:  whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites.  Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM].  The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human.  When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.  

The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind.  In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:  

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession.  Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram.  Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:  

Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:  

Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  Also, it is still much more evident:  that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life.  Indeed, it is attested:  “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.  Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body.  The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.  

Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest.  In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family.  Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:  

However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE.  You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Note:  Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people.  In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people.  The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23.  In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.  

Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Put succinctly:  itʼs the message rather than the messenger.  In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:  

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that.  I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God.”

*Note:  The word says is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated.  That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:  

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.

Note:  The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”  

Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah.  Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared.  Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.  

Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery:  we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation.  The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic.  In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.  However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober.  Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note:  In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent.  In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context.  Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!”  In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness.  The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture.  In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation.  Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

The verse of the day for July 7th is Psalm 18:30.  Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Psalm 18.  

Note:  One of the below notes for Psalm 18 contains a reference to the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ on the earth.  With regard to the Millennium, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations.  In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn].  This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity.  The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis].  After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights.  He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected.  He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred.  The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age.  The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē].  That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.”  Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026.  

Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m.  In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word.  The formation of the word judgment is shown below.  

judge −e +ment

= judg +ment

= judgment

Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations.  Civilizations begin only with believers.  Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood).  That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization.  In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood.  Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.  

After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth:  Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives.  With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started.  That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization).  Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood.  Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial.  The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth.  Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood.  This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.  

Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire.  That civilization is called the Millennium.  The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation.  The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.  

Psalm 18:1

For/To the preeminent one / the overseer / the superintendent / the director / the chief:  of David the servant of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, who has spoken to Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One the words of this song in the day that Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul, and he says, “I love You, O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, my Strength.”

Note:  Unspecified in Psalm 18:1 is to whom the phrase the preeminent one / the overseer / the superintendent / the director / the chief refers.  The pronoun he in this verse refers to David.  Also, the content of Psalm 18 is very similar to the content of 2 Samuel 22:1–51.  In addition, the uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse and the verses that follow are references to what has occurred in the past.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

Psalm 18:2

Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One is my Rock/Crag and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my 'El [AYL] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power], my Rock/Cliff, in Whom I take refuge, my Shield/Buckler and the Strength of my salvation/deliverance, my Stronghold / Elevated Place / High Place / Fortress.

Note:  There are two different Hebrew words used for Rock in Psalm 18:2.  The Hebrew word translated as “Rock/Crag” in this verse is סַלְעִ [pronounced sahl-EE and can be transliterated as cal`i], which is an inflected form of the root word סֶלַע [pronounced SEH-lah and can be transliterated as cela`].  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  The Hebrew word translated as “Rock/Cliff” in this verse is צוּרִ [pronounced tsoo-REE and can be transliterated as tsuwri and tsuri], which is an inflected form of the root word צוּר [pronounced TSOOR and can be transliterated as tsuwr and tsur].  Also, tsuwr can be used to refer to a boulder.  

Psalm 18:3

I call upon Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, Who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:4

The cords of death have encompassed me, and the torrents of worthlessness/destruction/wickedness terrify / fall upon / overwhelm / trouble me.

Note:  The Hebrew noun translated as “worthlessness/destruction/wickedness” in this verse is בְלִיַּעַל [pronounced behl-ee-YAH-al and can be transliterated as beliya`al].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word בְּלִיַּעַל [pronounced behl-ee-YAH-al and can be transliterated as beliya`al].  David had been in a situation or situations that were dangerous.  In that regard, David personified death as having ropes that wrapped around David.  

Also, in this verse, the reference to torrents is a metaphorical reference.  The Hebrew noun translated as “torrents” in this verse is נַחֲלֵי [pronounced nakh-ah-LAY and can be transliterated as nachalei].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word נַחַל [pronounced NAKH-al and can be transliterated as nachal].  The noun nachal has a connotation of torrents of water in a wadi [WAH-dee], which is a valley that is sometimes dry and that other times contains a torrent of water.  

Psalm 18:5

The cords of Sheol have surrounded me; the snares of death have confronted me.

Note:  The word Sheol [SHEE-ohl] comes from Hebrew.  A synonym for the word Sheol is the word Hades [HAY-deez].  The word Hades comes from Greek.  Sheol/Hades is somewhere under the surface of the earth in a location that is inaccessible to those humans who have not yet experienced physical death.  Sheol/Hades is different from the Lake of Fire.  The Lake of Fire is the place of judgment for the fallen angels and those who have had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior but never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  For each person who at some time in that personʼs life has the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, the age of that person when that person first had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior can be referred to as the age of accountability of that person.  The age of accountability varies for each individual person.  

Content in 2 Samuel 12:23 indicates that a person who dies before that person has reached the age of accountability receives eternal life.  The content of that verse references King David recognizing that when David died, he would be with his son who had died as a baby.  Below is content related to 2 Samuel 12:22–23.  

Note:  In the below content of 2 Samuel 12:22, the pronoun he refers to David.  

2 Samuel 12:22

Then he says, “While the child was still alive, I have fasted, and I weep, for I have said, ‘Who knows?  Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has been gracious to me, and the child has lived.’  

Note:  The uses of a present tense in the verb says and the verb weep reference what has occurred in the past.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

2 Samuel 12:23

“However, now he has died; why should I fast?  Am I able to bring him back again?  I am going to him, but he does not return to me.”  

Note:  David indicated that he recognized that he would later be with his son who had died as a baby.  In that regard, David indicated that he recognized that the means by which David would be with that deceased son involved David going to be with that deceased son when David would die rather than that deceased son coming back to be with David before David died.  David is eternally saved; therefore, the content of this verse indicates that Davidʼs son who had died as a baby is also eternally saved.  

Unspecified in the Bible is the location of the Lake of Fire.  Sheol/Hades can also be referred to as the netherworld.  Also, the phrase the netherworld can alternatively be spelled as the nether world.  The word nether means “located down or below.”  

Before the Lord Jesus Christʼs resurrection and ascension to Heaven, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ resided in a pleasant compartment of Hades called Paradise and also called Abrahamʼs Bosom.  After the Lord was resurrected and He ascended to Heaven, the believers who were in Abrahamʼs Bosom were transferred to Heaven.  Now that the Lord has been resurrected and has ascended to Heaven, deceased believers go to Heaven rather than going to Abrahamʼs Bosom.  Unspecified in the Bible are details about how believers were transferred to Abrahamʼs Bosom other than the content of Luke 16:22 mentioning angels carrying the poverty-stricken believer named Lazarus to Abrahamʼs Bosom.  Also, unspecified in the Bible are details about how believers were transferred from Abrahamʼs Bosom to Heaven or how believers are transferred to Heaven.  

Deceased unbelievers resided and still reside in a compartment of Hades called Torments.  They will reside there until the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers, which will occur after the Lordʼs 1,000-year Millennial reign on the earth.  Another compartment of Hades is Tartarus, which is where those fallen angels who mated with human females—as mentioned in Genesis 6—are currently incarcerated.  

Paradise / Abrahamʼs Bosom is referenced in Luke 16:19–22.  The words of the Lord Jesus Christ are in red.  

Luke 16:19–22

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  Also, a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores and longing to be fed with the things which were falling from the rich manʼs table.  Nevertheless, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.  Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abrahamʼs bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried.”

Torments is referenced in Luke 16:23–26.  The words of the Lord Jesus Christ are in red.  

Luke 16:23–26

“In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and sees* Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.  Then he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue because I am in agony in this flame.’  Nevertheless, Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things and likewise Lazarus bad things.  Nevertheless, now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Also, in all these things, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and none may cross over from there to us.’”

*Note:  The word sees is in the Greek historical present tense.  

Tartarus and the context of the judgment of the angels who mated with human females are referenced in 2 Peter 2:4–5.  

2 Peter 2:4–5

Indeed, if God did not spare—and He indeed did not spare—angels when they sinned but cast them into Tartarus and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment, and did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah, a preacher [or herald] of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 

Note:  In 2 Peter 2:4, the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek verb that is translated as “cast them into Tartarus” is ταρταρώσας [pronounced tar-tah-ROH-sahs and transliterated as tartarōsas].  That verb is an inflected form of the root word ταρταρόω [pronounced tar-tah-RAH-oh and transliterated as tartaroō].  The verb tartaroō is derived from the Greek noun Τάρταρος [pronounced TAHR-tah-rahs and transliterated as Tartaros], which can be translated as “Tartarus.”  The English noun Tartarus is also derived from the Greek noun Tartaros.  

Regarding terminology, when people use the word hell, they might be referring to Hades/Sheol, and they might be referring to the Lake of Fire.  Also, it is possible that some people are unaware that Hades and the Lake of Fire are different locations.  There are zero indications in the Bible that Satan has a headquarters located in Hades or in the Lake of Fire.  

In Psalm 18:5, the phrase The cords of Sheol have surrounded me is a metaphor indicating that, from Davidʼs perspective, he was seemingly close to the moment of physical death.  David lacked omniscience [all-knowingness]; therefore, he had been unaware whether he would physically die at the moment or moments described in verse 5.  In contrast, God the Father is omniscient [all-knowing]; therefore, God the Father knew whether or not David was going to die at the moment or moments described in verse 5.  At the time of the writing of Psalm 18, David of course knew that it hadnʼt been God the Fatherʼs plan for David to die at the moment or moments that he had described in verse 5.  In that regard, the content of this verse indicates his perspective at the moment or moments described in the verse.  

Also, it is worth noting that there is zero indication that David chose to put himself in the situation or situations that were dangerous.  Instead, the content of Psalm 18 reveals that this endangerment was the result of othersʼ actions.  In that regard, God the Father, Who is perfectly just, permitted the endangerment to occur.  In spite of the endangerment that other people caused David to experience, God the Fatherʼs plan involved David continuing to live through and beyond that endangerment.  

Psalm 18:6

In my distress, I call upon Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One and cry to my 'Elohiym [el-oh-HEEM] / Godhead for help; He hears my voice out of His Temple, and my cry for help before Him comes into His ears.

Note:  In this verse, the word Temple refers either to Heaven (also known as the Third Heaven or Third Heavens), which is where the throne room of God the Father is located, or to a structure that is the Temple in Heaven because while the Tabernacle existed during the time of David, the first earthly Temple was built after the time of David.  Regarding the word heaven, the term first heavens (also known as first heaven) refers to the atmosphere of the earth.  The term second heavens (also known as second heaven) refers to outer space.  

Psalm 18:7

The earth/land shakes and quakes, and the foundations of the mountains tremble and are shaken because He has been angry.

Note:  The word angry in Psalm 18:7 is an anthropopathism [an-thruh-poh-PATH-iz-uhm].  An anthropopathism is a term that describes the Members of the Trinity using human characteristics in order to help understand the essence of the Trinity.  The Members of the Trinity donʼt literally become angry; the usage of the word angry in Psalm 18:7 helps human beings understand the wrath of God the Father.  

Psalm 18:8

Smoke has gone up out of His nostrils, and fire from His mouth devours.  Coals have been kindled by it.

Note:  The phrase Smoke has gone up out of His nostrils and the phrase fire from His mouth devours are anthropomorphisms [an-thruh-puh-MOR-fiz-uhmz].  An anthropomorphism is a term that describes a Member of the Trinity using a human physical characteristic.  The anthropomorphisms in Psalm 18:8 are metaphors that call attention to the wrath of God the Father.  In addition, the phrase fire from His mouth devours also calls attention to the omnipotence [all-powerfulness] of God the Father.  

Psalm 18:9

He bows the heavens also and comes down with a dark cloud under His feet.

Note:  This verse involves metaphors.  In this verse, the word heavens refers either to the atmosphere of the earth or to outer space—or both.  Also, in this verse, the dark cloud is a metaphor referencing judgment.  In addition, the reference to feet is an anthropomorphism.  

Psalm 18:10

He rides upon a cherub and flies, and He speeds upon the wings of the wind.

Note:  The reference to a cherub sounds like an animal.  It is possible that some usages of the word cherub in the Old Testament refer to created beings that look like animals rather than created beings that look similar to men.  In that regard, the English word creature can be used to refer to either animals or humans.  Also, the phrase speeds upon the wings of the wind is a metaphor for flying.  

Unspecified in Psalm 18 is whether the content of verse 10 is literal or metaphorical.  If it is literal, then it could be referring to God the Son manifesting Himself in the form of an angel and riding upon a cherub.  In that regard, in the Old Testament, the phrase Angel of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One can refer to God the Son.  If the content of verse 10 is metaphorical, then that content could be referring to how swiftly God the Father sends judgment in any given situation when it is the time that He has chosen for judgment related to that situation.  

Psalm 18:11

He makes darkness His hiding place / secret place, His pavilion / booth / temporary shelter / tent around Him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

Note:  As with verse 10, unspecified in Psalm 18 is whether the content of verse 11 is literal or metaphorical.  Regardless of whether the content of this verse is literal or metaphorical, that content calls attention to Davidʼs enemies being unaware that God the Father would deliver David.  In that regard, God the Fatherʼs deliverance of David would be a surprise for Davidʼs enemies.  

Psalm 18:12

From the brightness before Him have passed His thick clouds, hailstones, and coals of fire.

Note:  As with verses 10 and 11, unspecified in Psalm 18 is whether the content of verse 12 is literal or metaphorical.  Regardless of whether the content of this verse is literal or metaphorical, that content calls attention to God the Fatherʼs power.  

Psalm 18:13

Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One also thunders in the heavens, and the Most High utters His voice, hailstones and coals of fire.

Note:  In this verse, the word heavens refers to the atmosphere of the earth.  

Psalm 18:14

He sends out His arrows and disperses / scatters them and lightning flashes in abundance and confuses / routs them.

Note:  In this verse, the word arrows might refer to lightning bolts.  Regardless of whether that word refers to literal arrows or to lightning bolts, this verse calls attention to Davidʼs enemies fleeing as a result of being defeated.  

Psalm 18:15

Then the channels of water appear, and the foundations of the world are laid bare / uncovered at Your rebuke, O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Note:  As with the content of verse 8, the reference to nostrils in verse 15 is an anthropomorphism.  The anthropomorphism in verse 15 is a metaphor that calls attention to the wrath of God the Father.  

Psalm 18:16

He sends from on high.  He takes me.  He draws me out of many waters.

Note:  The word waters in Psalm 18:16 might be a metaphor referring either to the enemies of David or to dangers.  Whether metaphorical or literal, David was delivered.  

Psalm 18:17

He delivers me from my strong enemy and from those who hate me, for they have been too mighty for me.

Psalm 18:18

They confront me in the day of my calamity, but Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One is my Support/Stay.

Note:  A stay is a large rope or cable used to support the mast of a ship.  In this verse, David is using another metaphor.  

Psalm 18:19

He brings me forth also into a broad place / large place / open space.  He rescues me because He has delighted in me.

Psalm 18:20

Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One rewards me according to my righteousness.  According to the cleanness of my hands, He recompenses me.

Psalm 18:21

Certainly, I have kept the ways of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One and have not wickedly departed from my 'Elohiym/Godhead.

Psalm 18:22

Certainly, all His ordinances are before me, and I do not put away His statutes from me.

Psalm 18:23

Also, I am complete / having integrity / sound / upright / whole with Him, and I keep myself from my iniquity.

Note:  Unspecified is to what period of Davidʼs life David was referring in this verse.  

Psalm 18:24

Therefore, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One recompenses me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.

Note:  The reference to eyes in this verse is an anthropomorphism that is a metaphor that calls attention to the omniscience [ahm-NISH-uhns] [all-knowingness] of God the Father.  

Psalm 18:25

With the kind, You show Yourself kind.  With the complete / having integrity / sound / upright / whole, You deal in integrity / act uprightly.

Psalm 18:26

With the pure, You show Yourself pure, and with the froward [FROH-wuhrd or FROH-uhrd] [difficult to deal with because of being contrary], You show Yourself froward.

Note:  In Psalm 18:26, the reference to God the Father being froward is an anthropopathism.  As mentioned in the note for verse 7, an anthropopathism is a term that describes the Members of the Trinity using human characteristics in order to help understand the essence of the Trinity.  Rather than the Members of the Trinity literally being froward, the usage of the word froward in reference to God the Father in Psalm 18:26 calls attention to the fact that God the Father deals with selfish people by means of talionic justice [tal-ee-ON-ik JUHS-tis].  The term talionic justice is a synonym for the term poetic justice.  According to the principle of talionic justice / poetic justice, the punishment should fit the crime and should be no more and no less than what is appropriate for the crime.  The English term talionic justice comes from the English term lex talionis [LEKS ta-lee-OH-niss or LEKS tah-lee-OH-niss], which means “law of retaliation.”  The English term lex talionis is derived from the Latin term lex tāliōnis [LEKS tah-lee-OH-nees], which also means “law of retaliation.”  The Latin word lex means “law,” and the Latin word tāliōnis is an inflected form of the noun tāliō [tah-LEE-oh], which means “exaction of payment in kind.”  Regarding the usage of the word froward in Psalm 18:26, God the Fatherʼs plan can involve circumstances that are difficult to deal with for the people who are froward.  

Psalm 18:27

Certainly, You save an afflicted people, but You humiliate / bring down / bring low haughty/proud eyes/faces/countenances.

Note:  The phrase haughty/proud eyes/faces/countenances refers to people who are proud of themselves.  

Psalm 18:28

Certainly, You light my lamp.  Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One my 'Elohiym/Godhead illumines my darkness.

Psalm 18:29

Certainly, by You I run upon a troop / crush a troop, and by my 'Elohiym/Godhead I leap over a wall.

Psalm 18:30

As for 'El/God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power], His way is complete / having integrity / sound / upright / whole.  The utterance / word / promise of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One is tried/tested.  He is a Shield/Buckler to all who take refuge in Him.

Note:  God the Father acts with integrity.  Also, what God the Father communicates is trustworthy.  In that regard, the trying/testing referenced in this verse is a metaphor that refers to trying/testing metal in order to determine whether that metal is pure.  In addition, God the Father protects the believers who trust in Him.  

Psalm 18:31

Therefore, who is 'Elowahh [el-OH-ah; also spelled as 'Eloah and 'Elohah] / God but Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One?  Who is a Rock/Cliff except our 'Elohiym/Godhead?— 

Note:  In Psalm 18:31, tsuwr is the Hebrew word that is translated “Rock/Cliff.”  

Psalm 18:32

the 'El/God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Who girds me with strength, and He makes my way complete / having integrity / sound / upright / whole—

Psalm 18:33

He Who makes my feet like hindsʼ feet, and He sets me upon my high places—

Note:  A hind [pronounced HIGHND], which is a female red deer, has great agility.  

Psalm 18:34

He Who trains my hands for battle so that my arms have bent a bow of bronze.

Note:  Absent from the content of Psalm 18 is any reference to God the Fatherʼs plan involving Davidʼs hands being prepared for some competitive sport or any other self-glorifying endeavor.  

Psalm 18:35

Also, You give me the shield/buckler of Your salvation/deliverance, and Your right hand upholds me.  Your gentleness/humility/graciousness makes me great.

Note:  The phrase right hand in Psalm 18:35 is an anthropomorphism.  As mentioned in the note for verse 8, an anthropomorphism is a term that describes a Member of the Trinity using a human physical characteristic.  The anthropomorphism involving the right hand in this verse is a metaphor that calls attention to the power of God the Father.  

The Hebrew noun translated as “gentleness/humility/graciousness” in this verse is עַנְוַתְ [pronounced an-VAHT and can be transliterated as `anvaht].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word עַנְוָה [pronounced an-VAH and can be transliterated as `anvah].  The connotation of `anvah as used in this verse involves God the Father metaphorically lowering Himself in the sense of God the Father being willing to help David even though God the Father is superior to David.  

Regarding the word great, the context of the surrounding verses is such that this word refers to being skilled with regard to fighting.  As with the content of verses 32, 33, and 34, David is giving credit to God the Father for Davidʼs ability to fight.  In that regard, David glorifies God the Father rather than glorifying David himself.  

Psalm 18:36

You enlarge my steps under me, and my ankles/feet have not slipped.

Psalm 18:37

I pursue my enemies and overtake them, and I do not turn back until they are consumed/destroyed.

Psalm 18:38

I shatter/smite them so that they are not able to rise; they fall under my feet.

Psalm 18:39

Also, You gird me with strength for battle.  You subdue / cause to bow down under me those who rise up against me.

Psalm 18:40

You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, and I destroy/exterminate/silence those who hate me.

Note:  The enemiesʼ turning of their backs towards David refers to the enemies fleeing from David.  

Psalm 18:41

They cry for help—but there is no one who saves them—to Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, but He has not answered them.

Note:  Those enemies of David cried to God the Father for help, but God the Father refrained from answering the prayers of those enemies of David.  

Psalm 18:42

Also, I beat them fine as the dust before the wind; I empty them out as the mire of the streets.

Psalm 18:43

You deliver me from the contentions of the people; You place me as head of the nations.  A people whom I have not known serve me.

Note:  Inside the square brackets below, the letters i.e. are used to represent the phrase that is.  The two letters are an abbreviation for the Latin words id est, which mean “that is.”  When one reads those two letters, one can either say, “eye ee” or “that is.”  If one is reading out loud, and if any hearers of that reading are unaware of what the letters i.e. represent, it is best to say “that is.”  Also, the letters i.e. need to be followed by a comma.  

In this context, the word nations is used to refer to non-Israelite people [i.e., Gentiles].  The Hebrew word translated as “nations” in this verse is גּוֹיִם [pronounced goh-YEEM and can be transliterated as goyim], which is an inflected form of the root word גּוֹי [pronounced GOH-ee and can be transliterated as gowy].  

Psalm 18:44

As soon as they hear, they obey me.  Foreigners give feigned obedience to me.

Psalm 18:45

Foreigners fade away and come trembling out of their fortresses/fastnesses/strongholds.

Psalm 18:46

Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One lives, and blessed is my Rock/Cliff.  Exalted is the 'Elowahh [also spelled as 'Eloah and 'Elohah] / God of my salvation/deliverance—

Note:  In Psalm 18:46, tsuwr is the Hebrew word that is translated “Rock/Cliff.”  

Psalm 18:47

the 'El/God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Who executes vengeance for me, and He subdues peoples under me—

Psalm 18:48

He Who delivers me from my enemies.  Surely, You lift me above those who rise up against me.  You rescue me from the violent man.

Note:  In this verse, David switches from talking about God the Father to talking to God the Father.  

Psalm 18:49

Therefore, I give thanks to You among the nations, O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, and I sing praises to Your name—

Note:  In this context, the word nations is used to refer to non-Israelite people [i.e., Gentiles].  As with the content of verse 43, the Hebrew word translated as “nations” in this verse is גּוֹיִם [pronounced goh-YEEM and can be transliterated as goyim], which is an inflected form of the root word גּוֹי [pronounced GOH-ee and can be transliterated as gowy].  

Psalm 18:50

He Who gives great victories/deliverances to His king and Who shows khesed / hesed / חֶסֶד / lovingkindness / mercy / unfailing love / loyal love to His anointed, to David and his seed/descendants forever.

Note:  In this verse, David switches from talking to God the Father to talking about God the Father.  The Hebrew word translated as “victories/deliverances” in this verse is יְשׁוּעוֹת [pronounced yuh-shoo-AHT and can be transliterated as yshuw`aht and yshu`aht and yshuaht], which is an inflected form of the root word יְשׁוּעָה [pronounced yesh-OO-ah and can be transliterated as yeshuw`ah and yeshu`ah and yeshuah].  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  The Hebrew word yeshuah can be transliterated into Koine [KOI-nay] Greek as Ἰησοῦς [pronounced ee-ay-SOOS and transliterated as Iēsous].  In that regard, the use of yeshuah foreshadowed the Koine Greek name Iēsous.  The correspondence between yeshuah (יְשׁוּעָה) and Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) is listed below.  

Regarding the use of the Koine Greek letter ς [SIG-muh] to transliterate the Hebrew letter ה [HAY], below are examples of such usage.  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of אֵלִיָּה (Elijah) to result in Ἠλίας (Elias).  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of יִרְמְיָה (Jeremiah) to result in Ἰερεμίας (Jeremias).  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of זְכַרְיָה (Zechariah) to result in Ζαχαρίας (Zacharias).  

The Koine Greek name Iēsous is used in the New Testament to refer to the Lord Jesus Christ.  That Koine Greek name is the name from which the English name Jesus is derived.  The correspondence between Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) and Jesus is listed below.  

Rather than David giving credit to David himself for the victories/deliverances experienced by David, David instead gave credit to God the Father for those victories/deliverances.  Also, the content of verse 50 is part of the same sentence as is the content of verse 49.  The content of verse 49 references David thanking God the Father and singing praises to God the Father.  Regarding the foregoing, David finishes this psalm focused on thanking God the Father, praising God the Father, and giving credit to God the Father.  In that regard, rather than David being preoccupied with himself, David was instead focused on God the Father.  

Sincerely,

John