“And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:”
In token of the wonderful benefits that he received of God.
“And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;”
Cross references: : Ps. 18:2 By the diversity of these comfortable means, he showeth how his faith was strengthened in all tentations.
“When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; waves: or, pangs ungodly: Heb. Belial”
As David (who was the figure of Christ) was by God’s power delivered from all dangers: so Christ and his Church shall overcome most grievous dangers, tyranny and death.
“There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. out of his nostrils: Heb. by, etc”
Lightning and thundering. That is, clouds, and vapors.
“He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.”
So it seemeth when the air is dark.
“And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.”
To fly in a moment through the world.
“Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.”
By this description of a tempest he declareth the power of God against his enemies.
“And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.”
He alludeth to the miracle of the red Sea.
“They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.”
I was so beset, that all means seemed to fail.
“For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.”
I attempted nothing without his commandment.
“With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. shew thyself unsavoury: or, wrestle”
Their wickedness is cause that thou seemest to forget thy wonted mercy.
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. tried: or, refined”
The manner that God useth to succor his, never faileth.
“He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. maketh: Heb. equalleth”
He useth extraordinary means to make me win most strongholds.
“For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. subdued: Heb. caused to bow”
He acknowledgeth that God was the author of his victories, who gave him strength.
“They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.”
The wicked in their necessity are compelled to flee to God, but it is too late.
“Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.”
Meaning, of the Jews, who conspired against me.
“Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear , they shall be obedient unto me. Strangers: Heb. Sons of the stranger submit: or, yield feigned obedience: Heb. lie”
Not willingly obeying me, but dissemblingly.
“The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.”
Let him show his power, that he is the governor of all the world.