In the magnificent ode of thanksgiving which appears in the Psalter as Ps. 18, David recounts in broad outline the story of the marvelous deliverances and victories that God had given him. This commemorative Song of Triumph is heart history, the story of a human heart ever devoted to God and sincere in its integrity in the things of God. That the hymn was composed by David is confirmed by the account in 2 Sam. 22, where the poem, with some variations, also appears.

 On the superscription, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,” see p. 616; see also PP 715, 716. The phrase “the servant of the Lord” (found also in the superscription of Ps. 36) does not occur in 2 Sam. 22. On the entire psalm compare the comments on 2 Sam. 22.

 God was the source of the psalmist’s strength (see Ps. 27:1; 28:8).

 Heb. racham, denoting deep and fervent affection. Elsewhere racham is not used of man’s love to God, but frequently of God’s love to man. The statement is a fitting introduction to this triumphant psalm of rejoicing. This verse does not appear in 2 Sam. 22. Compare Ps. 116:1-4.