Psalm 18 46

Psalm 18:46 kjv

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

Psalm 18:46 nkjv

The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalm 18:46 niv

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!

Psalm 18:46 esv

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation ?

Psalm 18:46 nlt

The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock!
May the God of my salvation be exalted!

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 46 Meaning

Psalm 18:46 is a profound declaration of unwavering faith and jubilant praise to the Most High. It asserts the eternal, active, and life-giving nature of the Creator, proclaiming Him as the unshakeable foundation (Rock) and the exclusive source of deliverance and ultimate well-being. It is a powerful acclamation of divine vitality and sovereignty, elevating God to His rightful place of supreme glory as the provider of salvation.

Psalm 18 46 Context

Psalm 18 is a monumental psalm of thanksgiving from King David, recounted also in 2 Samuel chapter 22. It celebrates God's dramatic deliverance of David from all his enemies, especially King Saul, who relentlessly pursued him. The psalm transitions from a personal cry for help and a vivid description of divine intervention (verses 4-19) to a declaration of God's righteousness and David's blamelessness (verses 20-30), culminating in a grand narrative of military victories attributed entirely to the Most High's strength and guidance (verses 31-45). Verse 46 marks a profound shift, moving beyond a recount of past deliverance to an ecstatic declaration of present reality and future hope, shifting from recounting specific acts to extolling God's very being. It expresses David's theology in triumph, solidifying the lessons learned in his long journey of affliction and triumph. This verse serves as a climactic expression of praise after divine vindication, framing God not merely as a temporary helper but as the everlasting, living source of all power and salvation.

Psalm 18 46 Word analysis

• The LORD (יהוה - YHWH): The sacred, covenantal name of God. It signifies the self-existent, eternal, unchangeable, and relational God. Its use emphasizes God's personal nature and His faithful commitment to His covenant people. It distinguishes Him from the fleeting, powerless deities of surrounding nations, pointing to His active presence.
• lives! (חַי - chai): A powerful declaration emphasizing God's vitality, eternality, and dynamic activity. Unlike lifeless idols, God is an active, sustaining, and delivering force. This challenges the ancient polytheistic beliefs where gods could die or be powerless, affirming YHWH's perpetual existence and dominion over life and death. This "living God" (Deut 5:26, Jer 10:10) is capable of hearing, acting, and saving.
• And blessed (וּבָרוּךְ - u-baruch) be: Expresses praise, adoration, and acknowledgement of God's inherent goodness and abundant nature. To bless God means to speak well of Him, to give Him glory and thanks, recognizing His benevolence as the source of all blessings. It reflects a joyful and grateful heart.
• my Rock! (צוּרִי - tsur-i): A deep metaphor for God. "Tsur" denotes a mighty cliff or crag, implying unshakeable strength, stability, reliability, refuge, and protection. It suggests a safe, unmoving foundation against all adversities (1 Sam 2:2, Isa 26:4). The possessive "my" makes it intensely personal, emphasizing David's intimate relationship and dependence on this divine strength. It counters the ephemeral nature of human power and fortresses.
• And exalted (וְיָרוּם - ve-yarum) be: To be lifted high, praised, honored, and recognized as supreme in status and authority. This acknowledges God's inherent majesty and supremacy. It's a prayerful and declarative wish that God's name and character be elevated above all things, reflecting His glorious nature (Ps 57:5, Phil 2:9).
• the God (אֱלֹהֵי - Elohei) of my salvation! (יִשְׁעִי - yish'i): "Elohei" (God) refers to God's ultimate power, omnipotence, and transcendence. "Yish'i" means deliverance, salvation, victory, or well-being. It encapsulates comprehensive rescue—from physical dangers, enemies, sin, and spiritual death. This phrase identifies God as the ultimate and singular source of every form of deliverance, highlighting His specific, active role in David's life (Isa 12:2). The possessive "my" again personalizes God's role as Savior, underscoring the intimate relationship David has with his deliverer.

Word Group Analysis:

• "The LORD lives!": This triumphant cry is a direct theological statement affirming the vital reality and active presence of YHWH. It’s an antithesis to the lifeless idols and perishable powers of the world, positioning God as the ever-active force in history and individual lives. It has implications for Christ's resurrection as the ultimate validation of God's life-giving power (Acts 2:24).
• "And blessed be my Rock!": This phrase celebrates God's immutability and steadfastness as a personal refuge and foundation. It signifies unwavering trust and gratitude for God's reliable character and protective presence amidst life's storms. It acknowledges Him as the source of all good things received, providing stability where earthly powers fail.
• "And exalted be the God of my salvation!": This culmination expresses profound reverence and worship. It declares that God is worthy of ultimate praise and elevation because He is not just mighty, but specifically the one who saves and delivers personally. It recognizes Him as the sovereign provider of triumph, both past and future, linking His inherent glory to His redemptive action.

Psalm 18 46 Bonus section

This verse carries a significant polemical undertone against the idol worship prevalent in the Ancient Near East. While not explicitly naming other gods, the declaration "The LORD lives!" stands in stark contrast to lifeless statues and fabricated deities. Unlike them, YHWH is active, dynamic, and intervenes in human history. His titles "Rock" and "God of my salvation" further emphasize His unique capabilities that no pagan god or human strength could match, effectively discrediting them.

Moreover, the progression in the verse — from "lives" (eternal existence), to "Rock" (unwavering character), to "God of my salvation" (active deliverance) — forms a complete theological statement. It speaks to God's timeless being, His steadfast faithfulness, and His purposeful action on behalf of His people. This structure allows the verse to function not only as praise but also as a confessional summary of Israelite monotheism. The repetition of "my" ("my Rock," "my salvation") reinforces the deeply personal and relational aspect of God's work in David's life, inviting all believers to experience and declare the same intimate relationship with the Living God.

Psalm 18 46 Commentary

Psalm 18:46 is a magnificent and concise summary of core biblical truths, expressed from a heart overflowing with gratitude after profound deliverance. It shifts the focus from specific acts of salvation to the very nature of the Savior. "The LORD lives!" is the bedrock declaration – a statement of faith in the eternally active and present Creator who is not passive but dynamically involved in the affairs of His creation and the lives of His people. This vital truth renders all other gods and perceived sources of power inert.

Following this, the exclamation, "And blessed be my Rock!" emphasizes the unyielding stability and trustworthiness of God. He is a steadfast foundation and an unshakeable refuge, personalized as "my Rock" because David has personally experienced His dependable strength. This underscores God's faithfulness and ability to sustain His people through any trial.

Finally, "And exalted be the God of my salvation!" elevates God to His rightful position of supreme glory, not just for His inherent nature but specifically for His active role as the source of all deliverance. Salvation here is comprehensive, encompassing rescue from all enemies, dangers, and ultimately, from the dominion of sin and death. It's a declaration that His name should be magnified because He is the benevolent Deliverer.

Practically, this verse reminds believers to continually praise God for His living presence and unchanging nature, to find refuge and stability in Him as their constant Rock, and to exalt Him as the singular source of all personal and universal salvation. It teaches us to anchor our praise not just on what God has done, but on who He eternally is: the Living, Unchanging Savior.