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Psalm 18:1

For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to 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. He said, I love you, LORD, my strength.

1For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to 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. He said, I love you, LORD, my strength.
2The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
3I call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies.
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Psalm 18:2 →
Notice

After deliverance from Saul, David’s first words to God are words of love, making his praise personal while naming YHWH as his strength.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What do you mean when you speak of loving YHWH as your strength?

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What help from God, if any, comes to mind as you read David’s song after deliverance?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
2 Samuel 22:1–51David spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul,Both headings identify David’s song as spoken to the LORD after deliverance from all his enemies, including Saul.
Colossians 1:11strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,David names the LORD as his strength, while Colossians describes strength from God’s glorious might for endurance and perseverance.
1 John 4:19We love him, because he first loved us.Both passages speak of love for God; John states that God’s love comes first.
Isaiah 12:1–6In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, the LORD; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me.Both passages address the LORD with gratitude after his help, though Isaiah speaks of comfort and David of deliverance.
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.David names the LORD as his strength, while Philippians names Christ as the one who supplies strength.
Psalm 34:19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.Psalm 18 names David’s deliverance from his enemies; Psalm 34 declares that the LORD delivers the righteous from their afflictions.
Psalm 116:1–6I love the LORD, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.Both songs declare love for the LORD in connection with his help: deliverance for David and heard cries in Psalm 116.
Habakkuk 3:19GOD, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and enables me to go in high places. For the music director, on my stringed instruments.Both name the Lord as “my strength” and include directions for the music leader.
Psalm 144:1–2By David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands to war, and my fingers to battle—Both songs bear David’s name and praise the LORD for help amid conflict, through deliverance or training for battle.
Psalm 28:7–8The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.Both call the LORD “my strength” and connect a song of praise with help received from him.
1 Samuel 2:1–10Hannah prayed, and said, “My heart exults in the LORD! My horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your …David and Hannah both speak to the LORD with praise for salvation from enemies.
Acts 13:36For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.Psalm 18 identifies David as the LORD’s servant; Acts describes David as having served God’s counsel in his generation.
Where this verse fits

Gratitude. answered prayer. praise and worship.

What the Bible says about gratitude →What the Bible says about worship →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray Psalm 18:1’s final sentence aloud before bed

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Encouragement

David’s song begins with love for the God who rescued him. His relief has a clear source: YHWH is his strength.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 18:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 18 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).