Psalm 18 3

Psalm 18:3 kjv

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalm 18:3 nkjv

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:3 niv

I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:3 esv

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:3 nlt

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 3 Meaning

Psalm 18:3 expresses King David's profound trust and confidence in the character and power of the Lord. It states his practice of invoking God's name, recognizing God's inherent praiseworthiness, and affirming that this act of calling upon such a God inevitably results in deliverance from his adversaries. The verse highlights a direct link between God's supreme worthiness of praise and His certain ability to save those who genuinely call upon Him in times of distress.

Psalm 18 3 Context

Psalm 18 is a monumental psalm of thanksgiving, almost identically recorded in 2 Samuel 22. It is attributed to King David "on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." This context is crucial, establishing the psalm as a historical testimony to God's intervention in David's life. David, the warrior-king, faced relentless persecution from King Saul and numerous military adversaries throughout his reign. The psalm reflects not only his past deliverances but also his present faith and his understanding of God as his unfailing Strength, Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer. It captures a moment of triumphant reflection, looking back on God's mighty acts of salvation amidst grave danger. Verse 3 serves as the opening declaration of the principle by which David navigated his perils: calling upon God, who is uniquely worthy of all praise, guarantees salvation. This sets the tone for the vivid descriptions of God's powerful intervention that follow in the psalm.

Psalm 18 3 Word analysis

• I call upon (אֶקְרָא, eqra): This is from the Hebrew verb קָרָא (qara), meaning "to call, cry out, summon, invoke." The verb form used (Qal imperfect, first common singular) indicates an active, ongoing, and intentional action. It is more than just speaking; it signifies an earnest, often desperate, plea or an invocation of a relationship. It implies personal interaction and reliance. In a worship context, it is calling out to God for intervention.
• the Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. It distinguishes the God of Israel from all other deities. It denotes God's self-existence, eternal nature, and His covenant faithfulness. By calling upon "Yahweh," David appeals to the God who is consistently faithful to His promises and powerful in His actions, specifically the God who had promised to be with David and establish his kingdom.
• who is worthy to be praised (מְהֻלָּל, mehullal): This is a Hophal participle of the verb הָלַל (halal), which means "to praise, shine, boast." The Hophal stem implies that God is made praiseworthy or is declared praiseworthy. It's not that He needs to be praised to be worthy, but His intrinsic nature causes Him to be the object of ultimate praise. He is the "praised one," or "highly extolled one." This foundational attribute means His character itself is the basis for His deliverance. He doesn't deliver to become worthy of praise; He delivers because He is already worthy of praise, and His actions reveal that inherent worthiness.
• and I am saved (וּמִן אֹיְבַי אִוָּשֵׁעַ, u-min oyevay ivvashea): This verb, אִוָּשֵׁעַ (ivvashea), is the Niphal imperfect (first common singular) of יָשַׁע (yasha), meaning "to save, deliver, rescue, liberate." The Niphal stem is a passive-reflexive form, emphasizing that the action of being saved is done to the subject by an external force (God), rather than the subject saving himself. This highlights God's sovereignty and active involvement in the deliverance. It's a statement of assured future or habitual outcome: "I shall be saved" or "I am habitually saved."
• from my enemies (מִן אֹיְבַי, min oyevay): אֹיֵב (oyev) means "enemy," a hostile one. The preposition מִן (min) means "from" or "out of." This refers to concrete, identifiable adversaries and dangers, whether individuals (like Saul) or nations. The deliverance is not from an abstract concept but from real, life-threatening forces.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised": This phrase establishes the foundational principle. The act of calling on Yahweh is intertwined with His essential nature as "the praised one." This highlights a significant polemic against pagan practices, where deities might be called upon for specific benefits, but are not necessarily intrinsically praiseworthy. Yahweh is praised because of who He is, not merely for what He does, although His actions always reflect His character. His intrinsic praiseworthiness provides the ultimate guarantee that His intervention will be true and complete.
  • "...and I am saved from my enemies": This directly links the act of invocation and God's praiseworthy nature to the guaranteed outcome of deliverance. It's a statement of cause and effect: because God is the praiseworthy Yahweh, those who call upon Him will be delivered. The phrasing "I am saved" implies an accomplished reality or a certainty. The salvation is concrete and against real threats.

Psalm 18 3 Bonus section

The concept presented in Psalm 18:3 forms the foundation for New Testament understandings of salvation, particularly the declaration that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom 10:13, Acts 2:21). This verse reveals a dynamic pattern: invocation, inherent divine glory, and subsequent deliverance. This sequence applies not only to physical salvation from enemies as David experienced but also to spiritual salvation from sin and its ultimate enemy, death. Calling upon the Lord is an act of humble submission and faith, acknowledging His unique identity and His singular worthiness of praise. The "name of the Lord" represents His very character, presence, and authority, acting as a spiritual fortress. This echoes Proverbs 18:10: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." The assurance of salvation springs not from the strength of the caller, but from the unshakeable nature of the One being called upon. The psalmist implies that acknowledging God's worthiness in praise is a prerequisite or a companion to effective calling. It is an act of worship that aligns the heart with God's sovereign nature and opens the door for His promised intervention.

Psalm 18 3 Commentary

Psalm 18:3 encapsulates the core of Old Testament piety and confidence. It establishes a theological and practical nexus: invocation of God, acknowledgment of His supreme praiseworthiness, and assured deliverance. David's choice of the name "Yahweh" is pivotal, appealing to the covenant-keeping God who has a personal relationship with His people and the power to intervene decisively. The description of God as "worthy to be praised" (mehullal) highlights His inherent, magnificent nature, making Him distinct from any lesser being or idol. This is not praise earned by human action, but praise due to His very being. Therefore, to call upon Him is to call upon absolute power, faithfulness, and righteousness. The Niphal voice in "I am saved" emphasizes that deliverance is God's doing; David is the recipient, not the orchestrator, of salvation. This verse serves as an enduring pattern for believers in any era: when faced with insurmountable "enemies" or troubles, the believer's recourse is prayer to the only God who is intrinsically worthy of praise, resting in the absolute certainty of His salvific power. It encourages a proactive trust where praise is offered not only after deliverance but as an expression of faith during the time of need, knowing God's character guarantees the outcome. For example, when facing overwhelming financial crisis or personal illness, the believer actively prays and proclaims God's goodness and ability to deliver, not merely hoping for salvation, but knowing it is consistent with who God is.