Psalm 18 1

Psalm 18:1 kjv

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Psalm 18:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said: I will love You, O LORD, my strength.

Psalm 18:1 niv

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, LORD, my strength.

Psalm 18:1 esv

I love you, O LORD, my strength.

Psalm 18:1 nlt

I love you, LORD;
you are my strength.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 1 Meaning

Psalm 18:1 is a profound declaration of personal love and unwavering reliance upon God. David, the psalmist, expresses an intense, deep-seated affection and devotion (racham) for YHWH, affirming that the Lord alone is his source of strength, enabling him to overcome all adversity. It sets the tone for the entire psalm as a testimony of God's power and faithfulness in the life of His servant.

Psalm 18 1 Context

Psalm 18 is a monumental psalm attributed to David, mirroring the account found in 2 Samuel chapter 22. It is presented as a "song" (Hebrew: shirah) of thanksgiving and praise delivered by David "on the day when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." This historical context is vital; it means the psalm is not merely a theoretical declaration but a heartfelt response born from a life fraught with danger, persecution, and near-death experiences. The very first verse, "I love you, O LORD, my strength," acts as the interpretive key to the entire poem, establishing David's intimate, personal relationship with God as the foundational reason for his survival and ultimate triumph over seemingly insurmountable adversaries, including King Saul who relentlessly pursued him, and other national enemies. It demonstrates that David's remarkable deliverance was not due to his own prowess or human allies, but to God alone.

Psalm 18 1 Word analysis

• I love you: The Hebrew verb here is raḥamḵāh (רַחֲמֵךְ), from the root rāḥam (רָחַם). This is a deep, profound word for love, distinct from ’ahav (simple love/liking). Rāḥam often conveys compassionate, tender, and loyal affection, much like the deep love a parent has for a child, or linked to raḥamim (mercies/compassion), which derives from the word for "womb." David's use of this verb expresses an active, enduring, and wholehearted devotion to God, going beyond mere sentiment to a covenantal loyalty. It is a profound declaration of personal intimacy and complete trust, a rare opening for a psalm of deliverance, showcasing the depth of his relationship with YHWH.

• O LORD: The Hebrew here is YHWH (יהוה), the sacred, ineffable personal name of God, often rendered "the LORD" in English Bibles (the Tetragrammaton). This covenant name signifies God's relational presence, His unwavering faithfulness, and His self-existent nature (Exod 3:14). David addresses God by His personal name, not Elohim (a generic term for God), emphasizing the specific God of Israel who has actively intervened in his life. This signifies a profound and personal relationship, acknowledging His sovereignty and steadfastness.

• my strength: The Hebrew is ḥizqī (חִזְקִי), from the root ḥāzaq (חָזַק), meaning "to be strong, firm, courageous, prevail." It conveys not merely physical power but also fortitude, a stronghold, a refuge, and the source of empowerment. By stating "my strength," David makes a direct, personal attribution: God is not a strength but his strength—the essential, internal, and external force enabling him to endure and overcome. This implies absolute dependence on God as the sole supplier of capability, courage, and stability in all circumstances, not just physical might in battle.

Words-group analysis

• "I love you, O LORD": This phrase combines profound personal devotion with an address to the most intimate covenant name of God. It's a statement of radical adoration and affection that springs from personal experience of God's steadfastness. It roots David's entire testimony of deliverance in a deep spiritual bond, signifying that his reliance on God's strength is fueled by his heartfelt devotion. This isn't a transactional relationship, but one of deep, mutual belonging.

• "my strength": This phrase functions as a direct theological assertion that articulates the why and how of David's victories. It implies that every ability, every endurance, every victory David experienced was fundamentally sourced from God. This challenges human self-sufficiency and reliance on worldly powers (armies, strategies), positing God as the ultimate and indispensable wellspring of power for believers.

Psalm 18 1 Bonus section

The use of raḥam in Psalm 18:1 is singular and significant; it is one of the very few places in the Psalms where raḥam in the first person qal form (meaning 'I love/have compassion') is used directly for YHWH, marking an unusual intimacy and depth. While God's compassion (raḥamim) is frequently mentioned, David's direct verbal response using the same root word underscores a responsive and profound covenantal affection. This love is an active, vital force that undergirds David's trust and empowers his walk. Moreover, the placement of this deeply personal confession at the beginning of a psalm, which primarily recounts dramatic military and political deliverances, suggests that personal devotion and relational intimacy with God precede and empower all outward victories and manifestations of God's power in a believer's life. It emphasizes that true strength and salvation spring from a loving heart devoted to God.

Psalm 18 1 Commentary

Psalm 18:1 is not just an emotional outburst but a theological bedrock for the entire psalm. David's declaration, "I love you, O LORD, my strength," sets the precedent that his subsequent song of deliverance is rooted in an intimate, personal, and profound relationship with YHWH. The choice of the Hebrew word racham for "love" indicates a love far beyond mere affection; it's a deep, tender, loyal, and compassionate devotion, reciprocal to God's own mercies that David has experienced. Acknowledging God as "my strength" shifts the focus entirely from human ability or worldly might to divine provision. It confesses that David’s very capacity to face enemies, endure persecution, and emerge victorious was wholly derived from God. This verse therefore explains the seemingly miraculous victories David recounts in the subsequent verses—they were not a result of David's intrinsic power, but of God’s indwelling power manifested through him. It is a model of attributing all success and ability to God.

For instance, when faced with overwhelming odds or personal weakness, remembering that "the LORD is my strength" shifts perspective from fear to faith, allowing one to draw upon an inexhaustible divine resource. In times of triumph, it directs praise and gratitude appropriately to the true source of victory, preventing self-glory.