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Psalm 18:34

He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.

32the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect?
33He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and sets me on my high places.
34He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
35You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great.
36You have enlarged my steps under me, My feet have not slipped.
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← Psalm 18:33Psalm 18:35 →
Notice

The bronze bow can draw your attention to David’s strength, while “He teaches” directs the credit to God amid the violence of war.

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

What is hard for you to read in David’s thanks for hands trained to war?

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How does “He teaches” shape your understanding of the strength David describes?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

9 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
Psalm 144:1By David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands to war, and my fingers to battle—Both passages credit God with training hands for war, making battle skill a reason to acknowledge dependence on him.
Psalm 46:9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.Both speak of God’s power in warfare: one credits him with strength to bend a bow, the other with breaking bows and ending wars.
Isaiah 45:1The LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their armor, to open the doors before …Both describe God helping a named ruler in warfare, teaching David’s hands and holding Cyrus’s right hand as nations are subdued.
2 Samuel 22:36You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.Both credit God for help in battle, describing that help through trained hands in the psalm and a shield of salvation in Samuel.
Isaiah 28:6and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.Both describe God as the source of strength for people engaged in battle.
Jeremiah 49:35“The LORD of Armies says: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.Both connect the bow with military strength under God’s power: David bends one through God’s teaching, while God promises to break Elam’s bow.
Job 29:20My glory is fresh in me. My bow is renewed in my hand.’Both use a bow to express strength, though Job speaks of renewed vigor without mentioning warfare or God’s instruction.
Judges 15:14When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax …Both describe God’s help involving arms and hands amid conflict: David receives training, while the Spirit’s coming frees Samson from his bonds.
Hosea 1:5It will happen in that day that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”Both place the bow under God’s power, though David celebrates strength to bend it and Hosea announces that Israel’s bow will be broken.
Where this verse fits

Gratitude. sermon or Bible study notes.

What the Bible says about gratitude →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read verses 32–36 and mark each action credited to God

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Encouragement

David’s song concerns real warfare; it gives no warrant to treat your neighbor as an enemy. The strength he celebrates comes from God, who teaches his hands and sustains him.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 18:34. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

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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).