TRANSLATIONS IN ENGLISH

Transcription

1 1 PSALMS OF DAVID TRANSLATIONS IN ENGLISH Paul AS Harvey Penname: Stean Anthony

2 2 Paul AS Harvey (Stean Anthony): Lectures on the Psalms in English versions [Revised Lecture Oct 2012] Psalm Eighteen Text and Notes. Miles Coverdale 1535 Psalm Eighteen 1662 BCP (copy used from a PDF file modern-spelling edition of Psalms, the Coverdale translation edited by W. S. Peterson and Valerie Macys.) Diligam te, Domine 1. I will love thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my stony rock, and my defence, my Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge. 2. I will call upon the Lord, which is worthy to be praised; so shall I be safe from mine enemies. 3. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid. 4. The pains of hell came about me; the snares of death overtook me. 5. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God. 6. So he shall hear my voice out of his holy temple, and my complaint shall come before him; it shall enter even into his ears. 7. The earth trembled and quaked; the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because he was wroth. 8. There went a smoke out in his presence, and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it. 9. He bowed the heavens also, and came down, and it was dark under his feet. 10. He rode upon the cherubims, and did fly; he came flying upon the wings of the wind. 11. He made darkness his secret place, his pavilion round about him, with dark water and thick clouds to cover him. 12. At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed hail-stones and coals of fire. 13. The Lord also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder, hail-stones and coals of fire. 14. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them. 15. The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered, at thy chiding, O Lord, at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure. 16. He shall send down from on high to fetch me, and shall take me out of many waters. 17. He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me; for they are too mighty for me. 18. They prevented me in the day of my trouble; but the Lord was my upholder. 19. He brought me forth also into a place of liberty; he brought me forth, even because he had a favour unto me. 20. The Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing; according to the cleanness of my hands shall he recompense me, 21. Because I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doth. 22. For I have an eye unto all his laws, and will not cast out his commandments from me. 23. I was also uncorrupt before him, and eschewed mine own wickedness. 24. Therefore the Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing, and according unto the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25. With the holy thou shalt be holy, and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect. 26. With the clean thou shalt be clean, and with the froward thou shalt learn frowardness. 27. For thou shalt save the people that are in adversity, and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud. 28. Thou also shalt light my candle; the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light. 29. For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men, and with the help of my God I shall leap over the wall. 30. The way of God is an undefiled way; the word of the Lord also is tried in the fire. He is the defender of all them that put their trust in him. 31. For who is God, but the Lord? or who hath any strength, except our God? 32. It is God that girdeth me with strength of war, and maketh my way perfect. 33. He maketh my feet like harts feet, and setteth me up on high. 34. He teacheth mine hands to fight, and mine arms shall bend even a bow of steel. 35. Thou hast given me the defence of thy salvation; thy right hand also shall hold me up, and thy loving correction shall make me great. 36. Thou shalt make room enough under me for to go, that my footsteps shall not slide. 37. I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them; neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them. 38. I will smite them, that they shall not be able to stand, but fall under my feet. 39. Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle; thou shalt throw down mine enemies under me. 40. Thou hast made mine enemies also to turn their backs upon me, and I shall destroy them that hate me. 41. They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them; yea, even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them. 42. I will beat them as small as the dust before the wind; I will cast them out as the clay in the streets. 43. Thou shalt deliver me from the strivings of the people, and thou shalt make me the head of the heathen. 44. A people whom I have not known shall serve me. 45. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me; but the strange children shall dissemble with me.

3 46. The strange children shall fail, and be afraid out of their prisons. 47. The Lord liveth; and blessed be my strong helper, and praised be the God of my salvation, 48. Even the God that seeth that I be avenged, and subdueth the people unto me. 49. It is he that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries; thou shalt rid me from the wicked man. 50. For this cause will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises unto thy Name. 51. Great prosperity giveth he unto his King, and showeth loving-kindness unto David his Anointed, and unto his seed for evermore. King James 1611 Psalm Eighteen: 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, 1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. 36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. 41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. 3

4 42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. 43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. 44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. 45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. 50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. Sternhold and Hopkins H&S 1562 Psalm Eighteen 1 O God my strength and fortitude, of force I must love thee; Thou art my castle and defence in my necessity: 2 My God, my rock, in whom I trust, the worker of my wealth; My refuge, buckler, and my shield, the horn of all my health. 3 When I sing laud unto the Lord, most worthy to be served; Then from my foes I am right sure that I shall be preserved. 4 The pangs of death did compass me, and bound me everywhere; The flowing waves of wickedness did put me in great fear. 5 The sly and subtle snares of hell were round about me set; And for my life there was prepared a deadly trapping net. 6 I thus beset with pain and grief, did pray to God for grace; And he forthwith heard my complaint out of his holy place. 7 Such is his power, that in his wrath he made the earth to quake, Yea, the foundation of the mount of Basan for to shake. 8 And from his nostrils went a smoke, when kindled was his ire, And from his mouth went burning coals of hot consuming fire. 9 The Lord descended from above, and bowed the heavens most high; And underneath his feet he cast the darkness of the sky: 10 On cherubs and on cherubims full royally he rode, And on the wings of mighty winds came flying all abroad. The Second Part 11 And like a den most dark he made his hid and secret place, With waters black and airy clouds encompassed he was. 12 At his bright presence did thick clouds in haste away retire, And in the stead thereof did come hail-stones and coals of fire. 13 The fiery darts and thunderbolts disperse them here and there. And with his frequent lightnings he doth put them in great fear. 14 When thou, O Lord, with great rebuke thy anger dost declare, The springs and the foundations of the world discovered are. 15 And from above the Lord sent down to fetch me from below, And plucked me out of waters great, that would me overflow. 16 And me delivered from my foes that sought me to enthrall, Yea, from such foes as were too strong for me to deal withal. 17 They did prevent me evermore in time of my great grief, But yet the Lord is my defense, my succor and relief. 18 He brought me forth in open place, that so I might be free, And kept me safe, because he had a favour unto me. 19 According to my innocence, so did he me regard, And to the cleanness of my hands he gave me my reward. 20 For that I walked in his ways, and in his paths have trod, And not departed wickedly from him that is my God. The Third Part 21 But evermore I have respect to his law and decree, His statutes and commandments I cast not away from me. 22 But pure and clean, and uncorrupt, appeared before his face, And did refrain from wickedness and sin in every case. 4

5 5 23 The Lord will therefore me reward, as I have done aright, As to the cleanness of my hands appearing in his sight. 24 For, Lord, with him that holy is wilt thou be holy too, And with the good and virtuous man thou wilt uprightly do. 25 And for the loving and elect thy favour wilt reserve And thou wilt use the wicked men as wicked men deserve. 26 For thou dost save the simple folk, in trouble when they lie, And dost bring down the countenance of them that look full high. 27 The Lord will light my candle so, that it shall shine full bright, The Lord my God will make also my darkness to be light. 28 For by thy help an host of men discomfit, Lord, I shall; By thee I scale and overleap the strength of any wall. 29 Unspotted are the ways of God his word is purely tried; He is a sure defence to such as in his faith abide. 30 For who is God, except the Lord? For other there is none. Or else who is omnipotent, saving our God alone? The Fourth Part 31 The God that girdeth me with strength is he that I do mean, That all the ways wherein I walk, did evermore keep clean. 32 That made my feet like to the harts in swiftness of my pace, And for my safety brought me forth into an open place. 33 He did in order put my hands in battle for to fight. To break in sunder bars of brass he gave my arms the might. 34 Thou teachest me thy saving health, thy right hand is my tower, Thy love and gentleness also doth still increase my power. 35 And under me thou makest plain the way where I should go, So that my feet shall never slip, nor wander to and fro. 36 And fiercely I pursue and take my foes that me annoyed, And from the field do not return till they be all destroyed. 37 So I suppress and wound my foes, that they can rise no more, For underneath my feet they fall I wound them all so sore. 38 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle, and Thou wilt throw down my enemies that do against me stand. 39 Lord, thou hast given me the necks of all my enemies, That so I might destroy all those that up against me rise. 40 They called for help, but none gave ear, nor came to their relief, Yea, to the Lord they called for aid, yet heard he not their grief. The Fifth Part 41 And still, like dust before the wind, I drive them under feet, And sweep them out like filthy dirt, that lieth in the street. 42 Thou keep st me from seditious folk that still in strife are led, And thou dost of the heathen folk appoint me to be head. 43 A people strange, to me unknown, and yet they shall me serve. And at the first obey my word, whereas my own will swerve. 44 I shall be irksome to my own, they will not see my light, But wander wide out of the way, and hide them out of sight. 45 But blessed be the living Lord, most worthy of all praise; He is my rock and saving health, praised be he always. 46 For it is he that gave me power, revenged for to be, And with his holy word subdued the people unto me. 47 And from my foe delivered me and set me over those That cruel and ungodly were, and up against me rose. 48 And for this cause, O Lord my God, to thee give thanks I shall And sing out praises to thy Name, among the Gentiles all. 49Deliverance great thou givest the king and dost reserve in store Mercy for thine Anointed, and his seed for evermore. A short essay posted on the internet has this interesting thing to say about the Sternhold version. Remarks on the Poets Translating Psalm , by H. K. White, From The Remains of Henry Kirke White of Nottingham, 1807.

6 Remarks on the English Poets Imitations The sublimity and unaffected beauty of the sacred writings are in no instance more conspicuous, than in the following verses of the 18 th Psalm. He bowed the heavens also and came down; and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub and did fly; yea he did fly upon the wings of the wind. None of our better versions have been able to preserve the original graces of these verses. That wretched one of Thomas Sternhold, however, (which to the disgrace and manifest detriment of religious worship, is generally used) has, in this solitary instance, and then perhaps by accident, given us the true spirit of the Psalmist, and has surpassed not only Merrick; but even the classic Buchanan. The version is as follows: Utque suum dominum terrae demittat in orbem Leniter inclinat jussum fastigia coelum. (Buchanan) The Lord descended from above And bowed the heavens high, And underneath his feet he cast The darkness of the sky. On cherubs and on cherubims Full royally he rode, And on the wings of mighty winds Came flying all abroad. [The smoothness and restrained grandeur is perhaps being praised T&S generally rough and crude]. 6 Tate and Brady T&B 1696 Psalm Eighteen 1 No change of times shall ever shock My firm affection, Lord, to thee; For thou hast always been my rock, A fortress and defence to me. 2 Thou my deliverer art, my God, My trust is in thy mighty power; Thou art my shield from foes abroad, At home my safeguard and my tower. 3 To thee I will address my prayer, To whom all praise we justly owe; So shall I, by thy watchful care, Be guarded from my treacherous foe. 4, 5 By floods of wicked men distressed With seas of sorrow compassed round With dire infernal pangs oppressed, In death s unwieldy fetters bound. 6 To heaven I made my mournful prayer, To God addressed my humble moan; Who graciously inclined hi s ear, And heard me from his lofty throne. The Second Part 7 When God arose my part to take, The conscious earth was struck with fear; The hills did at his presence shake, Nor could his dreadful fury bear. 8 Thick clouds of smoke dispersed abroad,

7 7 Ensigns of wrath before him came, Devouring fire around him glowed That coals were kindled at its flame. 9 He left the beauteous realms of light, Whilst heaven bowed down its awful head, Beneath his feet substantial night Was like a sable carpet spread. 10 The chariot of the King of kings, Which active troops of angels drew, On a strong tempest s rapid wings With most amazing swiftness flew. 11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds conspired With thickest shades his face to veil; But at his brightness soon retired, And fell in showers of fire and hail. 13 Thro heavens wide arch a thundering peal God s angry voice did loudly roar; While earth s sad face with heaps of hail, And flakes of fire, was covered over. 14 His sharpened arrows round he threw, Which made his scattered foes retreat; Like darts his nimble lightnings flew, And quickly finished their defeat. 15 The deep its secret stores disclosed, The world s foundations naked lay; By his avenging wrath exposed, Which fiercely raged that dreadful day. The Third Part 16 The Lord did on my side engage, From heaven, his throne, my cause upheld, And snatched me from the furious rage Of threatening waves that proudly swelled. 17 God his resistless power employed, My strongest foes attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroyed The weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtle rage had near prevailed When I distressed and friendless lay; But still, when other succours failed, God was my firm support and stay. 19 From dangers that inclosed me round, He brought me forth and set me free; For some just cause his goodness found, That moved him to delight in me. 20 Because in me no guilt remains, God does his gracious help extend; My hands are free from bloody stains, Therefore the Lord is still my friend.

8 8 21, 22 For I his judgments kept in sight, In his just paths I always trod; I never did his statutes slight, Nor loosely wandered from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure, Did even from darling sins refrain; His favours, therefore, yet endure, Because my heart and hands are clean. The Fourth Part 25, 26 Thou suit st, O Lord, thy righteous ways To various paths of human kind; They who for mercy merit praise, With thee shall wondrous mercy find. Thou to the just shalt justice show, The pure thy purity shall see, Such as perversely choose to go, Shall meet with due returns from thee. 27, 28 That he the humble soul will save, And crush the haughty s boasted might In me the Lord an instance gave, Whose darkness he has turned to light. 29 On his firm succor I relied, And did over numerous foes prevail, Nor feared, whilst he was on my side, The best defended walls to scale. 30 For God s designs shall still succeed, His word will bear the utmost test; He s a strong shield to all that need, And on his sure protection rest. 31 Who then deserves to be adored, But God, on whom my hopes depend? Or who, except the mighty Lord, Can with resistless power defend? The Fifth Part 32, 33 Tis God that girds my armour on, And all my just designs fulfils; Through him my feet can swiftly run, And nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take, And manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, Forced by my stronger arms to yield. 35 The buckler of his saving health Protects me from assaulting foes; His hand sustains me still, my wealth And greatness from his bounty flows.

9 9 36 My goings he enlarged abroad, Till then to narrow paths confined; And when in slippery ways I trod The method of my steps designed. 37 Through him I numerous host defeat, And flying squadrons captive take; Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat, Till I a final conquest make. 38 Covered with wounds, in vain they try Their vanquished heads again to rear; Spite of their boasted strength they lie Beneath my feet, and grovel there. 39 God, when fresh armies take the field, Recruits my strength, my courage warms; He makes my strong opposers yield, Subdued by my prevailing arms. 40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes My conquering feet in triumph press; Aided by him, I root out those Who hate and envy my success. 41 With loud complaints all friends they tried, But none was able to defend; At length to God for help they cried, But God would no assistance lend. 42 Like flying dust which winds pursue, Their broken troops I scattered round, Their slaughtered bodies forth I threw, Like loathsome dirt that clogs the ground. The Sixth Part 43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now, By God s appointment me obey; The heathen to my scepter bow, And foreign nations own my sway. 44 Remotest realms their homage send, When my successful name they hear; Strangers for my commands attend, Charmed with respect, or awed by fear. 45 All to my summons tamely yield, Or soon in battle are dismayed; For stronger holds they quit the field, And still in strongest holds afraid. 46 Let the eternal Lord be praised, The rock on whose defence I rest; O er highest heavens his Name be raised, Who me with his salvation blest. 47 Tis God that still supports my right, His just revenge my foes pursues; Tis he that with resistless might

10 10 Fierce nations to my yoke subdues. 48 My universal safeguard he, From whom my lasting honours flow; He made me great, and set me free From my remorseless bloody foe. 49 Therefore to celebrate his fame My grateful voice to heaven I ll raise; And nations, strangers to his Name Shall thus be taught to sing his praise. 50 God to his king deliverance sends, Shows his anointed signal grace; His mercy evermore extends, To David and his promised race. Philip Sidney Psalm Eighteen c [not quoted this time, not good] Isaac Watts Psalm 18 first part [Christian interpretation here] Deliverance from Despair, or temptations overcome 1 Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength, My rock, my tower, my high defence; Thy mighty arm shall be my trust, For I have found salvation thence. 2 Death and the terrors of the grave Stood round me with their dismal shade; While floods of high temptations rose, And made my sinking soul afraid. 3 I saw the opening gates of hell, With endless pains and sorrows there, Which none but they that feel can tell, While I was hurried to despair. 4 In my distress, I called my God, When I could scarce believe him mine; He bowed his ear to my complaint; Then did his grace appear divine. 5 With speed he flew to my relief, As on a cherub s wing he rode; Awful and bright as lightning shone The face of my deliverer, God. 6 Temptations fled at his rebuke, The blast of his almighty breath; He sent salvation from on high, And drew me from the deeps of death. 7 Great were my fears, my foes were great; Much was their strength, and more their rage; But Christ, my Lord, is conqueror still, In all the wars that devils wage. 8 My song forever shall record That terrible, that joyful hour;

11 11 And give the glory to the Lord, Due to his mercy and his power. Charles Wesley Psalm 18 (25 verses): 1 Thee will I love, O Lord, my power! My rock and fortress is the Lord, My God, my Savior, and my tower, My horn and strength, my shield and sword: Secure I trust in his defence, I stand in his omnipotence. 2 Still will I invocate his name, And spend my life in prayer and praise, His goodness own, his promise claim, And look for all his saving grace, Till all his saving grace I see, From sin and hell for ever free. 3 He saved me in temptation s hour, Horribly caught and compassed round, Exposed to Satan s raging power, In floods of sin and sorrow drowned, Condemned the second death to feel, Arrested by the pangs of hell. 4 To God, my God, with plaintive cry I called, in agony of fear. My humble wailing pierced the sky, My groaning reached his gracious ear. He heard me from his glorious throne, And sent the timely rescue down. Part II 5 When God did on my part appear, Astonished at his frowning look, The earth was moved, and quaked for fear, The hills to their foundation shook, The everlasting mountains bowed, In presence of my angry God. 6 A smoke out of his nostrils poured, And upwards rolled its gloomy spire: A fire out of his mouth devoured, A stream of sin-consuming fire: His lightnings flew with surest aim, His foes were fuel to the flame. 7 The heavens in his descent he bowed, And darkness for his for his carpet spread, His chariot was a sable cloud, The wind his fervid wings he made, By chariots drawn, the King of Kings, Came flying on a whirlwind s wings. 8 Darkness he made his secret place, And threw the wide pavilion round: Darkness and clouds eclipsed his face, How inaccessibly profound!

12 12 Implunged in waves of deepest night The Eternal Uncreated Light! 9 A ray he darted from his throne, And bade the scattered clouds retire; His clouds dispersed, his terrors shone, And dropped in flakes of livid fire; The waves congealed, with horror fell In hasty showers of rattling hail. 10 The Lord from heaven in thunder spoke; The Lord most terrible, most high, Sent forth his mighty voice, and shook The battlements of earth and sky; His wrath in storms of hail he showed, As burning coals his judgments glowed. 11 He launched the weapons of his war, His arrows of vindictive flame; His lightnings, with pernicious glare And right inevitable aim, Before the rolling thunder flew, And all my blasted foes o erthrew. 12 The watery stores discovered were, Broke open by his chiding breath; It laid the world s foundations bare, And showed the mighty springs beneath; The deep at thy rebuke was seen, The centre let thine earthquake in. 13 He sent his warrant from above, And claimed, and seized my soul for his. He drew me by the cords of love, Implunged in sin s profound abyss; Redeemed me from the tempter s power, Nor let my stronger foes devour. 14 The caught me in my evil day, On every side they kept me in. But God was my defense and stay, He plucked me from the straits of sin, Brought forth into a wealthy place, And freely saved me by his grace. Part III 15 Thou still shalt save the poor opprest, And bring their proud oppressors down; The lord will give his people rest, Will comfort his afflicted one; My God shall in my darkness shine, And fill my lamp with light Divine. 16 By thee I have a troop broke through, And scaled the wall, O God, by thee. Thy way is right, thy word is true, And fully verified in me. My Lord is faithful to redeem, The shield of all that trust in him.

13 13 17 For who, except the Lord, God? Who is a rock but God alone? My soul he hath with strength endued, To perfect love he leads me on. My feet through him, the hinds outfly, And spurn the earth and scale the sky. 18 Tis God instructs my hands to war, My arms have broke a bow of steel. My soul is more than conqueror, And strong in strength invincible. Thou hast a shield on me bestowed, The mercy of my Savior-God. 19 Sustained by thine almighty hand, And greatened by thy gentle love, My feet, new-taught on thee to stand, And swiftly in thy paths to move, Confirmed, upheld on every side, My feet could neither sink nor slide. 20 My foes I challenged forth to fight, And vexed them with offensive war, Followed, o ertook, and stopped their flight, Nor would from the pursuit forbear, Till crushed, consumed, beneath my power, They sunk, they fell, to rise no more. 21 Thou, Lord, hast girded me with might, And armed my soul for conquests new. When other hosts appeared in sight, Thine arm did other hosts subdue, Compelled the aliens to submit, And bowed their necks beneath my feet. 22 The Lord for me doth ever live. Blessing ascribe to God most high! Glory and thanks to Jesus give, The Rock on which I still rely. Extol his power, his mercies raise, The God of my salvation praise. 23 Tis God who vindicates my right, And all my foes persists to o erthrow. Thou hast redeemed me by thy might, Superior to my inbred foe, Thy love hath set my spirit free, And bade me live, O Lord, to thee. 24 Wherefore I will exalt thy Name, And teach the Heathen world thy praise. In songs of sacred joy proclaim Thy riches of redeeming grace, Till all the Heathen world confess And hymn the Lord our Righteousness. [last verse omitted] Scottish Psalter eighteen (1650 revised 1880)

14 14 (Some select verses) 1 Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength. 2 My fortress is the Lord, My rock, and he that doth to me Deliverance afford: My God, my strength, whom I will trust, A buckler unto me, The horn of my salvation sure, And my high tower, is he. 3 Unto the Lord, who worthy is Of praises, will I cry; And then shall I preserved be Safe from mine enemy. 4 The cords of death encompassed me, Sin s floods made me afraid; 5 Bands of the grave were round me drawn, Death s snares were on me laid. 6 I in distress called on the Lord, Cry to my God did I; He from his temple heard my voice, To his ears came my cry. 7 Earth as affrighted then did shake, Trembling upon it seized: The hills foundations moved were, Because he was displeased. 8 Up from his nostrils came a smoke, And from his mouth there came Devouring fire, and coals by it Were turned into flame. 9 He also bowed down the heavens, And thence he did descend; And thickest clouds of darkness did Under his feet attend. 10 And he upon a cherub rode, And thereon he did fly; Yea, on the swift wings of the wind His flight was from on high. 11 He darkness made his secret place; About him, for his tent, Dark waters were, and thickest clouds Of the airy firmament. 12 And at the brightness of that light Which was before his eye, His thick clouds passed away, hailstones And coals of fire did fly. 13 Jehovah also in the heavens Did thunder in his ire; And there the Highest gave his voice Hailstones and coals of fire. 24 According to my righteousness

15 15 The Lord did me requite; After the cleanness of my hands Appearing in his sight. 25 Thou to the gracious showest grace, To just men just thou art; 26 Pure to the pure, but froward still To men of froward heart. 27 For thou wilt the afflicted save In grief that low do lie; But wilt bring down the countenance Of those whose looks are high. 28 For thou thyself wilt light my lamp, That it shall shine full bright: The Lord my God will also make My darkness to be light. 49 And to thy name, O Lord, I will Give praises in a song. 50 He great deliverance gives his king; He mercy doth extend To David, his anointed one, And his seed without end. New World Translation: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society Version (rev. 1984) Psalm 18 (nicely phrased translation of this verse) 28 For you yourself will light my lamp, O Jehovah; My God himself will make my darkness shine. Christopher L. Webber, A New Metrical Psalter (Church Hymnal Corp., 1986) Psalm 18 (missing from the book) Psalms for All Seasons (Faith Alive, 2012). 18A (Martin Leckebusch@2003) 1 Refuge and Rock, Shield and Deliverer! I love you, Lord, for your unfailing care. Facing the grave, fearing destruction, I called to you and you answered my prayer. I was distressed, you heard my voice, I will rejoice for you saved me. [verses 2-5 clumsy omitted] 1 Notes: words and phrases & general interpretation & meaning Important psalm with magnificent poetic passages. Title: 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. As we proceed through the Psalms we find words and phrases are used again and again. An important list of epithets used to describe God is found here. What could or could not be said about God was determined in liturgical usage in ancient times this supplied the repertoire of poetic figures used. This psalm appears to be composed of independent songs joined together in one long hymn to God. The psalm is one of the strongest in the psalter, for the powerful imagery of God s power, visualized as a personal apocalyptic vision of individual salvation. David gives us the sense of the awesome power of God and also that he is specially linked to God all this power has come down for the purpose of saving him, the specially anointed. He names himself in the psalm. The sections on the destruction of enemies do not read so well however today.

16 16 TNIV: this song occurs also with minor variations in (2Sa 22) David sang to the Lord this song. 3 divisions: (apart from introduction and conclusion) 1 the Lord s deliverance of David from his mortal enemies 2 the moral grounds for the Lord s saving help 3 the Lord s help recounted. David s celebration of God s saving help in answer to prayer when under threat from powerful enemies receives its counterpart in the closely related psalms 20 & 21. v2 Rock a common poetic figure for God. Cord of death: figured as being bound and trapped. Salvation figured as a fearful theophany (appearance of God) of God as Heavenly avenger this unique passage very powerful and influential. Riding a huge thunderstorm the destruction of his opponents, this may be read as though sung by an epic hero such as Hector or Achilles a heroic boast of triumph. KJV commentary: The Hebrew word used for love (Heb racham) denotes the tenderest affection and is elsewhere used only of God s love toward man. A good quote: Spurgeon observes, From all sides the hell-hounds barked furiously. A cordon of devils hemmed in the hunted man of God; every way of escape was closed up. Satan knows how to blockade our coasts with the iron war-ships of sorrow, but, blessed be God, the port of all prayer is still open. A bow of steel indicates a bow of brass or bonze; steel was unknown at this period. Paul quotes v. 49 in Rom 15.9 emphasizing God s mercy. NAB: A royal thanksgiving for a military victory, duplicated in 2Sam22. Thanksgiving psalms are in essence reports of divine rescue. The first told from a heavenly perspective 5-20, the second from an earthly perspective The first report adapts old mythic language of cosmic battle between sea and rainstorm in order to depict God s rescue of the Israelite king from his enemies. Adam Clarke: Compare the description of the Heavenly Warrior coming to David s help to Hesiod's description of Jupiter fighting against the Titans, which is one of the grandest things in all pagan antiquity. Nice comment here: With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful = Thou wilt deal with men as they deal with each other. This is the general tenor of God s providential conduct towards mankind; well expressed by Mr. Pope in his universal prayer: " Teach me to feel another's woe; To hide the fault I see: The mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me." Barnes: Snares of death: the traps used for wild beasts, here it is a metaphor for wickedness. Compare Habakkuk chp 3 which is another description of a Tempest who hast laid the beams of thy chambers on the waters, who makest the clouds thy chariot, who ridest on the wings of the wind Chariots used as a metaphor quite frequently. Usually two wheels, two horses, kicking up a lot of dust, terrifying to footsoldiers often with blades on the wheels. What variation was there in these? cherub epithet used high celestial being beyond the human world. Thunder epithet for the voice of God commonly found, see Job 40:9, "Canst thou thunder with a voice like him?" foundations of the world perhaps the base of the ocean, like the Red Sea divided with the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful. Chasid trans kind loyal merciful pious. Source for Jesus here with the pure you will show yourself pure. Barar trans pure, purify For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. ta ir said to come from or light give out light illumine For who is God by our God? Who is a rock but the Lord? See Deut 32 which has this epithet Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. The apostle Paul uses this language Romans 15:9 as expressing properly the fact that the knowledge of God was to be communicated to the Gentiles: As it is written, For this cause will I confess to thee among the Gentiles. Spurgeon: quoting "In his descent, bow'd heaven with earth did meet, And gloomy darkness roll'd beneath his feet; A golden winged cherub he bestrid, And on the swiftly-flying tempest rid. He darkness made his secret cabinet; Thick fogs and dropping clouds about him set; The beams of his bright presence these expel, Whence showers of burning coals and hailstones fell." George Sandys, [here is an interesting point] "Cherub." The Hebrew name hath affinity with Rechub, a chariot, used in Psalm 104:3, almost in like sense as "cherub" is here; and the cherubims are called a chariot, 1 Chronicles 28:18; and God's angels are his chariots, Psalm 68:18, and they seem to be meant in this place; for as the angels are said to fly, Daniel 9:21; so the cherubims had wings, Exodus 25:20, and are by the apostle called "cherubims of glory," Hebrews 9:5. In Psalm 80:2, God is said "to sit on the cherubims," as here, to ride; and "a cherub" may be put for many, or all he cherubims, as chariot for chariots, Psalm 68:18. Henry Ainsworth For who is God save the Lord? Here first in the Psalms, occurs the name Eloah, rendered God. Notes on words: Buckler: small round shield, figuratively means of defense Horn: frequently used symbolic figure, with various meanings, here strength. Vessels for oil. Trumpets. Symbolic of

17 17 kings and power. Altar horns, projections at the four corners, sacred. Bowed the heavens: the sky is like a cloth which is bowed down or separated. Cp Is 64.1 Cherubims: see note at the end of this lecture Removed: older usage, the sense is emitted Prevented: came before me, in the sense of hindered and troubled Cleanness of hands: symbolic of being sinless An eye unto: observe or follow Uncorrupt: without sin Eschew: avoid or shun Froward: refractory, badly disposed Discomfit: defeat Hart: male of the deer, especially red deer, stag = makes me swift of foot Gird: to encircle the waist with a belt, or dress with clothes (poetic word) Like clay (cov line 42): some versions have like mud, trampled or poured away Strange children: translated also as foreigners Prevented in the day of calamity: they hindered me in the time of my disaster = they caused disaster for me Calamity: disaster or adversity, from Latin High looks: whose eyes are haughty = figure for the proud Hind: female of the deer, red deer, third year Enlarged my steps (kjv line 36): made my path broad Castle: S&H make the psalm more accessible to their audience Laud: praise Mount Basan: probably Bashan, another name for Hermon, country NE of Galilee Enthrall: to hold as a thrall, to enslave Conscious earth: sense of sensitive = feeling earth, personified as a fearful person Substantial: of substance, thick Darling sins: favoured sins = sins particular to David = the ones one cannot avoid Factious: given to disagreement and argument Froward: perverse, difficult, disposed to go counter Let us learn a couple of Hebrew words for each psalm: Transliteration: racham Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kham') Short Definition: love Transliteration: chezeq Phonetic Spelling: (khay'-zek) Short Definition: strength Erchamecha Hashem chizki v1 I love the Lord (my) strength. Transliteration: ki Phonetic Spelling: (kee) Short Definition: inasmuch Transliteration: attah Phonetic Spelling: (at-taw') Short Definition: you Transliteration: or Phonetic Spelling: (or) Short Definition: lighten Transliteration: ner or ner Phonetic Spelling: (neer) Short Definition: lamp Ki attah tair neri Hashem v28 For you, the Lord, light my lamp. 2 Notes: literary comparison & evaluation. Which of these versions communicates the Psalmist s feelings? The psalm is notable for the powerful imagery, vigorously expressed in the old translations. Particularly line 10. Coverdale: Very good on the power of God in the storm, some phrases added the round world. Coverdale and KJV have a candle line 28 instead of lamp. KJV: Clearly the strongest passage in this psalm is the rhythmical & visionary description of God s presence descending in the cosmic storm. This was indirectly quoted in Macbeth (pity riding the blast). It is powerful poetry, and it is one of the most sublime passages in the OT. S&H: This vigorous and easy to understand version works quite well. Changes made in the figure bars of brass. It grows a bit wearisome towards the end. T&B: some notable clumsiness heaps of hail. that dreadful day gives a sense of a witness-account. Fifth section improves in fluency and poetic quality, though uneven. Isaac Watts: this is an elegant and attractive version, interpreted personally in terms of temptations and given a Christian interpretation at the end. It makes a fluent and eloquent statement. Wesley: this is a very competent version at times it captures something of the excitement of the content, last verse clumsy and so omitted. Scottish Psalter: fluent and well-rhymed Psalms for All Seasons: nothing particular this time

18 Psalm 18 口語訳 Japanese 1: 聖歌隊の指揮者によってうたわせた主のしもべダビデの歌 すなわち主がもろもろのあだの手とサウ ルの手から救い出された日にダビデはこの歌の言葉を主にむかって述べて言った 2: わが力なる主よ わたしはあなたを愛します 3: 主はわが岩 わが城 わたしを救う者 わが神 わが寄り頼む岩 わが盾 わが救の角 わが高きやぐ らです 4: わたしはほめまつるべき主に呼ばわって わたしの敵から救われるのです 5: 死の綱は わたしを取り巻き 滅びの大水は わたしを襲いました 6: 陰府の綱は わたしを囲み 死のわなは わたしに立ちむかいました 7: わたしは悩みのうちに主に呼ばわり わが神に叫び求めました 主はその宮からわたしの声を聞かれ 主にさけぶわたしの叫びがその耳に達しました 8: そのとき地は揺れ動き 山々の基は震い動きました 主がお怒りになったからです 9: 煙はその鼻から立ちのぼり 火はその口から出て焼きつくし 炭はそれによって燃えあがりました 10: 主は天をたれて下られ 暗やみがその足の下にありました 11: 主はケルブに乗って飛び 風の翼をもってかけり 12: やみをおおいとして 自分のまわりに置き 水を含んだ暗い濃き雲をその幕屋とされました 13: そのみ前の輝きから濃き雲を破って ひょうと燃える炭とが降ってきました 14: 主はまた天に雷をとどろかせ いと高き者がみ声を出されると ひょうと燃える炭とが降ってきました 15: 主は矢を放って彼らを散らし いなずまをひらめかして彼らを打ち敗られました 16: 主よ そのとき あなたのとがめと あなたの鼻のいぶきとによって 海の底はあらわれ 地の基があ らわになったのです 17: 主は高い所からみ手を伸べて わたしを捕え 大水からわたしを引きあげ 18: わたしの強い敵と わたしを憎む者とから / わたしを助け出されました 彼らはわたしにまさって強か ったからです 19: 彼らはわたしの災の日にわたしを襲いました しかし主はわたしのささえとなられました 20: 主はわたしを広い所につれ出し わたしを喜ばれるがゆえに わたしを助けられました 21: 主はわたしの義にしたがってわたしに報い わたしの手の清きにしたがって / わたしに報いかえされ ました 22: わたしは主の道を守り 悪意をもって わが神を離れたことがなかったのです 23: そのすべてのおきてはわたしの前にあって わたしはその定めを捨てたことがなかったのです 24: わたしは主の前に欠けたところがなく 自分を守って罪を犯しませんでした 25: このゆえに主はわたしの義にしたがい その目の前にわたしの手の清きにしたがって / わたしに報い られました 26: あなたはいつくしみある者には いつくしみある者となり 欠けたところのない者には 欠けたところの ない者となり 27: 清い者には 清い者となり ひがんだ者には ひがんだ者となられます 28: あなたは苦しんでいる民を救われますが 高ぶる目をひくくされるのです 29: あなたはわたしのともしびをともし わが神 主はわたしのやみを照されます 30: まことに わたしはあなたによって敵軍を打ち破り わが神によって城壁をとび越えることができま す 18

19 19 31: この神こそ その道は完全であり 主の言葉は真実です 主はすべて寄り頼む者の盾です 32: 主のほかに だれが神でしょうか われらの神のほかに だれが岩でしょうか 33: 神はわたしに力を帯びさせ わたしの道を安全にされました 34: 神はわたしの足をめじかの足のようにされ わたしを高い所に安全に立たせ 35: わたしの手を戦いに慣らされたので わたしの腕は青銅の弓をもひくことができます 36: あなたはその救の盾をわたしに与え あなたの右の手はわたしをささえ あなたの助けはわたしを大いなる者とされました 37: あなたがわたしの歩む所を広くされたので わたしの足はすべらなかったのです 38: わたしは敵を追って これに追いつき これを滅ぼしつくすまでは帰らなかったのです 39: わたしが彼らを突き通したので 彼らは立ちあがることができず わたしの足もとに倒れました 40: あなたは戦いのためにわたしに力を帯びさせ わたしに立ち向かう者らをわたしのもとに かがませられました 41: あなたは敵にその後をわたしに向けさせられたので わたしは自分を憎む者を滅ぼしました 42: 彼らは助けを叫び求めたが 救う者はなく 主にむかって叫んだけれども 彼らに答えられなかったのです 43: わたしは彼らを風の前のちりのように細かに砕き ちまたの泥のように打ち捨てました 44: あなたは民の争いからわたしを救い わたしをもろもろの国民のかしらとされました わたしの知らなかった民がわたしに仕えました 45: 彼らはわたしの事を聞くと ただちにわたしに従い 異邦の人々はきて わたしにへつらいました 46: 異邦の人々は打ちしおれて その城から震えながら出てきました 47: 主は生きておられます わが岩はほむべきかな わが救の神はあがむべきかな 48: 神はわたしにあだを報いさせ もろもろの民をわたしのもとに従わせ 49: わたしの敵からわたしを救い出されました まことに あなたはわたしに逆らって / 起りたつ者の上にわたしをあげ 不法の人からわたしを救い出されました 50: このゆえに主よ わたしはもろもろの国民のなかであなたをたたえ あなたのみ名をほめ歌います 51: 主はその王に大いなる勝利を与え その油そそがれた者に ダビデとその子孫とに とこしえにいつくしみを加えられるでしょう Amen Note: What were the Cherubim? Angelic beings strongly associated with the Ark of the Covenant. Originally terrifying, in European Baroque depiction became something quite different, like infants. Shakespeare s description in Macbeth refers to the Baroque concept. References Gn 3.24 like statues of winged figures that stood guard at the entrances to palaces and temples in ancient Mesopotamia Ex like carvings of winged sphinxes on royal thrones, here on the sacred Ark = highest holiness protected Ex the Ark, as above two cherubim of hammered gold 1Sa 4.4 reference to the Ark Lord Almighty enthroned between the cherubim 2Sa as in Ps 18 1Kgs cherubims guarding the Ark a pair of cherubim out of olive wood 1Kgs The cherubims spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark Ps 18 as above Ps 80.2 you who sit enthroned between the cherubim Ps 99.1 you who sit enthroned between the cherubim Ezek. 1.5 vision of the cherubim very powerful Ezek. 10 vision of the cherubim very powerful Ezek all around the inner and outer sanctuary were carved cherubim

20 20 Heb 9.5 Cherubim Essentially two functions: guardians of a sacred tree or as guardians of a throne. Hebrew version of the sphinx. Most important function is that of the bearer of Yahweh s throne. Ezek. 10:20 They form the throne, or are guardians of the mercy seat. See the vision of Ezekiel chapter 1 where he describes the terrifying chariot of God, in such a way that it is difficult to visualize but awesome in the doubled and redoubled wings and beasts and faces, and all in burning light. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves feet. They sparkled like the colour of burnished bronze. Description of the chariot, using the term Cherubim, a living chariot: 10:14 Each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. When the cherubim stood still, the wheels stood still, and when one was lifted up, the other lifted itself up, for the spirit of the living creature was in them. The description sounds like a riddle. It reads as though the prophet is trying to describe something which is beyond description. It is also symbolic. Four faces. Four wings. Musical Versions I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1 Words: Johann Scheffler, Heilige Seelenlust, 1657 (Ich will dich lieben, meine Starke); translated from German to English by John Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower, Thee will I love, my Joy, my Crown, Thee will I love with all my power, In all Thy works, and Thee alone; Thee will I love, till the pure fire Fill my whole soul with chaste desire. Ah, why did I so late Thee know, Thee, lovelier than the sons of men! Ah, why did I no sooner go To Thee, the only ease in pain! Ashamed, I sigh, and inly mourn, That I so late to Thee did turn. In darkness willingly I strayed, I sought Thee, yet from Thee I roved; Far wide my wandering thoughts were spread, Thy creatures more than Thee I loved; And now if more at length I see, Tis through Thy light and comes from Thee. I thank Thee, uncreated Sun, That Thy bright beams on me have shined; I thank Thee, who hast overthrown My foes, and healed my wounded mind; I thank Thee, whose enlivening voice Bids my freed heart in Thee rejoice. Uphold me in the doubtful race, Nor suffer me again to stray; Strengthen my feet with steady pace Still to press forward in Thy way; My soul and flesh, O Lord of might, Fill, satiate, with Thy heavenly light.